| Twenty-six-year old Marine David Bell of Elizabeth was critically injured Tuesday when his 50 caliber machine gun misfired in his face.
He was life-flighted to Palmor Hospital where he underwent emergency surgery. The accident happened at Camp Pendleton near San Diego.
Physicians worked throughout the night to reconstruct his face, according to a family spokesperson. The frontal lobe of his brain was damaged and he has lost the sight of at least one eye.
A prayer vigil was held last night at the Wirt County courthouse.
He was removed from a ventilator yesterday, and is breathing on his own. Bell, whose lifetime desire was to be a Marine, expressed concern for his family, flying "all the way" to see him.
He has served tours of duty in Asia, the Middle East and most recently became a drill instructor.
Bell's wife, Holly, and his two children, Logan, 6, and Schyler, 6 months, accompanied by his parents Ernie and Betsy Ross Bell of Elizabeth, flew to California to be at his bedside.
Bell's mother is a fourth grade teacher at Wirt Primary Center.
He is a nephew of Mr. and Mrs. Tom Justice of Grantsville.
A fund has been established to assist the family at WestBanco in Elizabeth.
You can send checks to:
Wesbanco,
P.O. Box 579,
Elizabeth, WV 26143
or call (304)275-4268.
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