Thankful People: After fiery crash, Hahs thankful to be alive

EDITOR'S NOTE: Thankful People is a group of stories put together every Thanksgiving by the Southeast Missourian that focus on local people who have special reasons to be thankful.

Like many during the holidays, Burt Hahs will be surrounded by friends and family, anticipating the changing seasons and the coming of a new year.

But Hahs' blessings extend beyond the common threads that many share with him. He's thankful to be alive.

On Aug. 6, Hahs was at the center of a fiery accident in uptown Jackson; his truck, along with several other vehicles, was hit at a very high rate of speed. With his door pinned against another vehicle, he was unconscious as the truck caught fire. Thanks to a coworker riding in the passenger seat, he was able to escape.

The passenger kicked out a window to exit the vehicle, as did Hahs, but only after receiving second- and third- degree burns over nearly 60 percent of his body. He also suffered injuries to his head and fractured vertebrae.

The outlook for Hahs was not good.

"We were in the dark at first about it," explained Cynthia Volz, Hahs' girlfriend. "I feel like they have to make it sound -- they can't really talk it up to where you get your hopes up -- I mean, there was a very high risk; they told us, 'Be prepared for him not to make it.' We were told that from the get-go."

Volz said that Hahs' lungs were in bad shape and he immediately was put on a ventilator.

"He was in a medically induced coma for four-and-a-half weeks," Volz said.

She added that he went into pulmonary arrest at one point and was in critical condition until he emerged from of the coma.

Beyond the burns, unburned skin was quickly used for grafts to help him heal. Nearly all of Hahs' body was affected as a result of both smoke and heat inhalation.

Hahs, 32, who was employed by Siemers Appliance in uptown Jackson, was an active guy.

"He would do the delivering and installing," Volz said. "He was constantly active with that. He would work at his family farm; he would help out with that after his job."

Volz said, although his road to recovery is lengthy, Hahs looks forward to returning to his active lifestyle.

Now, 108 days after the crash, Hahs is determined to return to the shape he was in Aug. 5.

"Five weeks from the day of his accident, he went into rehab," Volz said, with a hint of pride in her boyfriend.

"His prognosis, that we were given … He was only in there a third of the time that we thought he was going to be. With his recovery time … they were just amazed by it. We were all amazed by it," Volz said.

Those amazed by his recovery continue to be impressed by Hahs' strength and determination. Volz said that they have been blessed with the help of many.

Hahs was hospitalized at at St. John's Mercy in St. Louis.

"They were the best; we heard that he was in the best place possible, but they went over the top taking care of him," Volz said.

Since Hahs' return to Southeast Missouri, his mother, Loeta Hahs, has been his caregiver. Her employer allowed her to take time off to help her son, and Burt Hahs' recovery has been expedited with her care.

"His mom does most of the hard work," Volz said. "Besides his therapy, his showers and things like that. Since he came home, she has been taking care of him ever since."

Hahs' father, Robert, will take over those duties when Loeta returns to work in December.

"You don't even know where to start thanking people," Loeta Hahs said. "You thank God for everything from the get-go; you pray for things, and He answered the prayers I had.

"Our communities, all around, have been so great. The outpouring of compassion to help someone who could very well be a total stranger is probably the biggest thing I am thankful for, besides Burt and his recovery so far," she said.

Burt Hahs reciprocates his mother's feelings.

"I'm most thankful for my family and my girlfriend, far and away," Burt Hahs said, adding, "They have been there for everything I need. I couldn't ask for a better support system. The prayers and community support have been such a blessing, too."

When it comes to his frustrations with recovery, Burt said patience comes to mind.

"I am not a patient person, and I'm not used to sitting around. I'm ready to drive and get back to my normal life, so patience is my biggest obstacle. I realize I'm getting there, and that's where my family comes in, to help me overcome those frustrations," he said.

Volz said that a benefit event for Hahs will be held at 4 p.m. Dec. 1 at the Knights of Columbus Hall north of Jackson. The event includes a dinner, silent and live auctions and a dance. The Cardinals-themed event will have team mascot Fredbird in attendance and a "strong man" competition.

The event will feature David Whitley, also known as "The Iron Tamer," who is known to bend iron rods and plans to present a kettleball show using cast-iron weights that resemble a cannonballs with handles. Whitley, whose wife is from Southeast Missouri and has known Burt Hahs for decades, has asked followers of his blog, www.irontamerblog.com, to support Hahs' recovery with donations.

"I look forward to seeing the people who have been praying and donating," Burt Hahs said.

"I look forward to thanking them in person. I feel like I'm taking a big step toward being a part of things again by going to the event; getting back into the real world a bit," he added.

Volz said, "We want to give back a little. This celebration will be the first thing that he's going to be able to go to."

It will be a thankful holiday season for the Hahs family, not only for the speed of Burt's recovery but also for the blessing of support from many who continue to walk the road to recovery with him.