Tragedy struck our extended family here at the compound last evening.

I had reported yesterday that the plant had it's first lost time accident of the year on Tuesday.(Actually in a couple of years.). Another injury occurred yesterday. Late yesterday evening one of the workers who's primary job is to prepare and clean the module pads where the cotton is stored while awaiting processing was seriously injured.

Ricardo had been on yard three about a mile from the compound raking the cotton that the module trucks had left behind. He was using a small utility tractor with a special mechanized rake that is run from the power take off. Shortly before dark he began making his way back to the compound driving this tractor. An older couple in one of their vehicles came up on him from behind and struck the tractor. Ricardo was thrown from the tractor into the ditch and the tractor veered off the road and hit a tree by the farm store manager's house.

As luck would have it, the Volunteer EMT station was located just down the road, however the ambulance that usually is garaged there had been taken on an emergency run already. They had to summon another ambulance from Garden City, seventeen miles away. While awaiting the ambulance's arrival some of the EMT's from the area were already arriving.

Finally the ambulance arrived, and they began attempting to stabilize Ricardo for transport. He was unresponsive so a care flight helicopter was summoned. About forty minutes after the chopper arrived they finally got the injured man stable enough to put on board and transport.

Ricardo had gone to work at the compound only recently, and he calls Del Rio home.

Now the dilemma is that no one from the compound can get an update because no one is a relative.

The GM is going to the hospital this morning, but last report from the EMT's was that Ricardo was not doing well.

Fortunately, the elderly couple was not injured in the accident. I think any injuries they received were from air bag deployment.

On a brighter note, Big George's surgery went quite well and he returned to the compound yesterday afternoon.

On a personal note, things are going the best they have all week. I just cringe every time the phone rings!

Have a day!

FATHER, we lift up Ricardo to YOU for YOUR gifts of healing and care. Comfort him and his family as well as the couple involved in the accident. We ask YOUR continued healing for George. We petition YOU for all our co-workers safety. To YOU is the glory!