Lincoln man critically injured helping neighbor in October snow storm would do it again

Helping an elderly neighbor remove a large branch from her car after last months snow storm landed Tim Houlihan in critical condition in the hospital.

“In the matter of a split second later a much larger, heavier part of that tree came down on what would have been myself and another neighbor unfortunately,” said Tim Houlihan. 

The branch struck 63–year–old Houlihan in the head causing a concussion, hearing loss, several fractures in his back and neck, and he needed a total hip replacement as the muscles were torn away.

First responders had to cut away the branch to get to Houlihan and the 69–year–old neighbor, who was also critically injured.

The total hip replacement has Houlihan learning to walk again, but his sister says it could have been much worse.

“I was just grateful he wasn’t paralyzed and that’s all a relief quite honestly and he was alive,” said Houlihan’s sister Monica Houlihan-Cramm.

The 63–year–old spent over a week in the ICU and then more time in a rehab facility.

He returned home only a few days ago, but still has a long road to recovery.

Houlihan works part time as an instructor and lifeguard at the YMCA and doesn’t have health insurance.

His sister’s set up a GoFundMe to help pay for his medical expenses.

While the recovery process has been frustrating to the former triathlete, Houlihan says if he could go back he would do it all over again.

“I don’t think anybody would have hesitated to help a neighbor out from that situation, obviously what happened after is just one of those things,” said Houlihan.

If you would like to donate to help Houlihan’s medical expenses you can do so by clicking here.