BURN VICTIM HOSPITALIZED IN HUNTINGTON - Arthur Escapes High-Pressure Inferno

(06/10/2001)

By Bob Weaver

Annamoriah resident Tony Arthur is in satisfactory condition at Cabel-Huntington Hospital after being life-flighted from Minnie Hamilton Health Care Center.

Arthur suffered burns to his arms and face when his tractor mower struck a gas line Friday night, releasing high-pressured gas. A family spokesperson said he would be hospitalized at least two weeks. "He was very fortunate," they said.

Burned tractor within feet of gas rupture

Arthur clipped a valve pipe with a mower blade in a meadow formerly owned by Mary Bryner on Annamoriah Creek, about four miles from State Route 16. The man, a local employee of Dominion Gas, reportedly attempted to retrieve his tractor as the flames intensified.

The roaring fire spread across the field, the flames reaching nearly thirty feet into the air shortly after 9 p.m. (SEE Hur Herald picture 6/9/01)

The Grantsville VFD remained on the scene until 5 a.m. Saturday until gas company employees shut the line down.