Brian Arps, an Omaha firefighter, pushed his wife out of a boat before crashing after he had a stroke and lost control of the watercraft.“He’s the best boater, fisherman, been on the Elkhorn River for 30 years,” said Kim Arps, Brian Arps’ wife.Video: Firefighter saves wife while suffering stroke on airboatWhile Brian Arps lost control of the craft, the boat was speeding toward a large tree. His wife said before the boat hit the tree, instinct kicked in. He took the brunt of the impact, and pushed his wife out of the way.“He broke his shoulder, all his ribs, a hole in each lung and tore his aorta,” Kim Arps said.She said she thought her husband was gone after the crash.“He was bleeding out of the mouth, not responding,” Kim Arps said. “He must have got into firefighter mode. I don’t know how he did it. He got back in the driver’s seat and drove us 4 miles to the dock.”Friends said Brian Arps is the first one to lend a hand in a crisis or help with projects.“He’s a fighter,” said friend Stan Smith. “You got to peel him back like an onion. Tough exterior; underneath, very kind.”His brother firefighters are organizing voluntary trade time to work his shifts and support his family.“Knowing I may not get paid back, but I just want to make sure my co-worker, peer, brother is taken care of,” said Steve Leclaire, of the Omaha Fire Union.Brian Arps suffered a setback last week: a massive stroke. He was in a coma for a week and in intensive care for three weeks. He may move to a rehabilitation hospital as early as Thursday.Those who wish to help with medical bills can donate to a fund for Brian Arps at the Omaha Firefighter Credit Union.

Brian Arps, an Omaha firefighter, pushed his wife out of a boat before crashing after he had a stroke and lost control of the watercraft.

“He’s the best boater, fisherman, been on the Elkhorn River for 30 years,” said Kim Arps, Brian Arps’ wife.


Video: Firefighter saves wife while suffering stroke on airboat

While Brian Arps lost control of the craft, the boat was speeding toward a large tree. His wife said before the boat hit the tree, instinct kicked in. He took the brunt of the impact, and pushed his wife out of the way.

“He broke his shoulder, all his ribs, a hole in each lung and tore his aorta,” Kim Arps said.

She said she thought her husband was gone after the crash.

“He was bleeding out of the mouth, not responding,” Kim Arps said. “He must have got into firefighter mode. I don’t know how he did it. He got back in the driver’s seat and drove us 4 miles to the dock.”

Friends said Brian Arps is the first one to lend a hand in a crisis or help with projects.

“He’s a fighter,” said friend Stan Smith. “You got to peel him back like an onion. Tough exterior; underneath, very kind.”

His brother firefighters are organizing voluntary trade time to work his shifts and support his family.

“Knowing I may not get paid back, but I just want to make sure my co-worker, peer, brother is taken care of,” said Steve Leclaire, of the Omaha Fire Union.

Brian Arps suffered a setback last week: a massive stroke. He was in a coma for a week and in intensive care for three weeks. He may move to a rehabilitation hospital as early as Thursday.

Those who wish to help with medical bills can donate to a fund for Brian Arps at the Omaha Firefighter Credit Union.