LAIRDSVILLE – As a volunteer firefighter for many years, Raymond Lunger has responded innumerable times to help others who were injured in accidents.

However, on Monday night volunteer firefighters from here and surrounding communities had to rush to help him when he suffered serious injuries in a crash on Route 118.

An eastbound pickup truck crossed the center line and plowed into Lunger’s westbound SUV near Bald Eagle Road in Franklin Township, according to state police at the Montoursville barracks.

Firefighters also responded to the 6:45 p.m. crash from Hughesville, Muncy Area and Unityville. UPMC paramedics also were dispatched to the scene.

The emergency responders immediately began treating Lunger’s injuries as well as those of Tyler Purkey, the 21-year-old Pittston man who was driving the pickup, police said.

Lunger, who is currently one of two Lairdsville assistant fire chiefs, was recovering Tuesday morning from his injuries in the intensive care unit at UPMC Williamsport while Purkey was taken to UPMC Muncy for his medical treatment.

A section of the two-lane state road was closed for nearly five hours as accident reconstructionists and other troopers processed the scene.