Nebraska Firefighters Recall Being Hit by SUV

OMAHA, Neb. --

Two Omaha firefighters hit by a sliding vehicle over the weekend expressed surprise that no one else was severely hurt.

A light dusting of snow that quickly iced over the roads on Saturday night caused a sport utility vehicle to lose control on Interstate 80 near the 42nd Street onramp in Omaha.

That SUV spun out, striking firefighters Seth Gruber and Tom Bartek. Bartek was thrown 50 feet down an embankment.

"It's a dangerous job and you know that going in. Thank God everything turned out OK," Gruber said.

"I remember being on all fours, not being able to catch my breath at all. And the next thing I remember was a group of firemen there to help me," Bartek said.

And then, another vehicle started rolling down the hill toward them. No one else was injured.

Bartek's arm was broken in the crash. He will be recovering for four to six weeks.

Gruber is back on duty.

"I don't think you've ever seen a group of guys move faster. After the first car hit me, I didn't want to get hit again," Bartek said.

The firefighters said they've never been more aware of the brotherhood between firefighters than this weekend.

Both of the firefighters said they can't thank the medic units enough for being there to save them.

Police said they won't cite the driver of the SUV for the crash. Investigators said he wasn't intoxicated and that speed wasn't a factor.

The icy conditions were cited as a likely cause for the crash.

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