HELP FOR U.S. ANGLER’S CHOICE ACCIDENT MEMBERS

[Basscat7]

HELP FOR U.S. ANGLER'S CHOICE ACCIDENT MEMBERS


Greetings...
My name is Dave Kilby, the U.S. Angler's Choice Region 4 VP. As I am sure many of you know by now, two of our longtime Angler's Choice members were involved in a tragic boating accident.
While competing in the Chesapeake Fall Pro Teams tournament on the Chesapeake Bay this past Sunday.
Walt Ross and Willie Barrett apparently hit an underwater obstruction shortly before weigh-in. The boat stopped immediately and the hydraulic jackplate separated causing the 225 E-Tech to recoil back into the cockpit hitting both anglers. The impact sent the Ranger into a 360 degree spin and ejected Willie while the motor crushed Walt against the driver's console.
Despite his injuries, Walt had the presence of mind to grab onto Willie and somehow locate his cell phone to call 911. He held Willie to the boat while rescue boats responded immediately.
Willie sustained numerous severe lacerations to his hand, arm, and leg as well as hypothermia due to his 20 minutes in the water. He was put into a drug-induced coma and flown to ShockTrauma in Baltimore.
As of Tuesday he has had surgery on his arm which included the insertion of plates and screws. He also had his hand reconstructed on Monday. As of this memo the severity of his leg injury is the main concern. At this point doctors have been unable to stop the bleeding and are considering all options. As far as we know he is still in a drug-induced coma.


Walt, the driver has a fractured sternum, fractured clavicle, broken ribs and cuts and bruises as you would expect. He remains in intensive care at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, also in Baltimore. In addition to his pain and serious injuries he is guilt-ridden regarding the condition of Willie, his best friend and longtime tournament partner.


Walt Ross and Willie Barrett will obviously out of work for a long while. In addition their spouses have been and will remain at the hospitals with their guys eliminating their household income.


In response to the literally hundreds of requests nationally we are setting up a "Help Fund" for Walt, Willie and their families. As we approach the holidays it means even more to have the opportunity to help out fellow Angler's Choice family members at this time.


If you wish to contribute to this fund please make your check payable to Angler's Choice DelMarVa and put "Walt and Willie Fund" on the memo line of your check and send to

Dave Kilby/Angler's Choice DelMarVa,
1713 Beechbank Way,
Bel Air, MD 21015.

If you wish to be put on AC address book to receive updates on their conditions and progress, please include your e-mail address or e-mail me at www.limitfinder@yahoo.com. Upon request a receipt will be sent to you. If you are unable to send a financial contribution please offer prayers for Walt, Willie, and their families.
Thanks and I wish you and your family a joyous holiday season.
Dave

[Basscat7]

http://www.susquehanna5.com/fullstory.php?97463

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this was posted on another site.... prayers go out to these guys and their families
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Just got an update from Dave. Willie's badly damaged leg was amputated above the knee yesterday evening. He's making out a little better now though and Walt might be able to go home soon. My prayers go out to them. This story brought back bad memories.
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[Pillager]

An update from Dave Kilby:


Hello to all! Thanks to everyone for your continued prayer and good wishes for our boys Walt and Willie. Although both are doing well there is no doubt they will both have some rough roads ahead but then, don't we all?

Tonight...Willie first. This evening I had the opporunity to visit with Willie for a few minutes at Shock Trauma. I have a pretty bad cold and did not want to spread any germs that might jeopardize his health. His family arrived from the Bristol (yeah, the "short track" Bristol) area and I didn't want to take any valuable time away from that reuinion. Willie was sitting up when I got there and panting a bit. He had just completed his first Physical Therapy session! He looked so much better than I expected him took look 5 days after his ordeal. He had great color and spoke quietly but meaningfully. His arm is anchored in a "high five" position and I took note that his visible fingertips also had great color...not white or pink. We've been trying to locate his glasses since things are a bit fuzzy without them but Julie ordered him a new pair yesterday. He will hopefully be moved from Shock Trauma tomorrow to either a hospital room or rehabilitation
facility. He offered a sincere appreciation to everyone across the country and even in Canada who have sent their regards. Julie is holding up magnificently keeping track of doctors, nurses, medications, instructions, as well as Willie's well being and 14 year old son Tyler's school, feelings, etc. The Physical Therapist told Willie as I was leaving that she wanted him to walk upstairs when he was able to show him how well he was doing. Willie's reply, and I quote..."How about I send you a picture of me fishing on my bass boat instead?" How's that for a positive attitude?

I left Shock Trauma and went directly to Walt and LaVeta's house. Walt was sort of sitting on the couch supported by pillows and wearing his "turtle shell" vest. This is to keep all of his fractured bones in place. He is still VERY, VERY sore and now, 5 days later the "black and blue" is beginning to show up on his flesh. His chest is still offset as his sternum has not yet begun to "level out" plus he still has a lot of swelling. His mind was clearer that I've seen it in the past few days so that's a good sign. When he slides down in the sofa a little bit he can't wiggle his way back up by himself. He has been reliving the accident and is taking a good hard look at the pictures on the web. He's had some positive news from his boat insurance company and is mulling over boat repair options. He and LaVeta met with the Cpl. David Wong, the lead investigator from DNR in the accident for more than 2 hour today. They really liked Cpl. Wong and are confident
with his investigation to date. Walt is worried because they told him that his Ranger is outside uncovered during the investigation. Best of all Walt and Wille were able to speak to each other this evening for the first time since the accident and that was great emotional therapy for both. LaVeta and LaRelle are taking good care of Walt and their home is open this weekend to anyone who wants to visit.

We have a Potomac Winter Pro Teams tournament tomorrow so my update tomorrow will be from telephone information only.

It's been a long, tough week for many of us worrying about W/W. I've tried to return hundreds of phone calls and e-mails this week as quickly as possible.If I owe you a call or reply, please contact me again and I'll try to get right back to you.

If you're on the water this weekend don't forget to wear your life jacket and attach your kill switch. I think weve all seen the importance of this first hand this week.

I hope you and your families have a blessed weekend.

Dave