UPDATE: Syracuse Fire Chief fighting for his life after accident

LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) - The family of a local fire chief who is in a coma has provided an update on his condition. The chief of the Syracuse Volunteer Fire Department remains in critical condition. This is after an accident at a local fair left him with severe brain damage.

According to his family, 36-year-old Eric Fass has remained stable, but is suffering from withdrawals of sedation and paralytic medications. Family says Fass was previously in a medically induced coma, but in the past few days has moved into a natural state one.

On Tuesday, he underwent surgery to put in a feeding tube and tracheostomy, doctors say both went well.

He is now breathing on his own and doctors are slowly moving him off of most medications.

Right now, the extent of his brain injuries isn’t fully known by doctors yet.

“He is showing some good signs as far as pain reflexes we were still hoping for more so we can know that he’s in there and that he’s responding appropriately,” said Christa Reisdorff a Fass family friend. “They’re just kind of keeping him in a comfortable state and letting him wake up on his own.”

The community is also planning a fundraiser for September 12. It will start with a rural poker run at 1 p.m. and after the run, there will be a BBQ dinner, silent auction, and raffle with a suggested donation of $10.

On Saturday, July 24, Fass was just helping his daughter show livestock. Fass was walking livestock from a building to a ring across the street when a car backfired and spooked the cattle. When the cow ran, Eric held the cow and tried to stop it. Fass tripped and hit his head on the curb.

Eric is known as a pillar of the community. He’s been the fire chief since last year and a farmer outside of that.

The community has also created a CaringBridge website to help with donations and fundraising.