A Garfield volunteer firefighter who recently spent two tours in Afghanistan for the army was seriously injured in a car accident while responding to an emergency call.

Radik Polanski, 23, was on his way to his firehouse but crashed into a utility pole two blocks away.

Witnesses described the accident as a mangled mess. People in the neighborhood that heard or saw the accident said they were shaken up. Members of his fire department were called to the scene and said they were also shaken by what happened.

"They extricated him from the vehicle?They did an outstanding job and transported him to Hackensack Hospital,? Chief Ed Ortyl of the Garfield Fire Department said. He also said they received word Saturday that Polanski?s condition was improving.

Polanski is listed in critical but stable condition at Hackensack University Medical Center.