Danny, Trauma Care Patient

Stuck in a deep ravine, Danny prayed for help to come.

On a late-night visit to a mine near Jewell Valley, Virginia, mining engineer Danny was shocked to see a person in the middle of the road. Sharply swerving to avoid hitting what turned out to be a bear on his hind legs, Danny’s truck left the road, tumbled down a 60-foot ravine, and landed in a creek.

After 11 hours and 26 passing cars, finally someone heard his horn blaring and called for help.

Staff at a local community hospital identified Danny needed specialized trauma care and sent him by ambulance to Johnson City Medical Center, a Level 1 trauma center. There, an orthopedic trauma surgeon did surgery to stabilize his leg and performed reconstructive surgery a week later.

“It’s one of the greatest things for our community.”

“After eight months, I’m back doing my normal job except going underground into the mines,” he says. “The doctor told me I’ll be able to do anything I wanted to do, even ride my motorized bike. I’m looking forward to that day.”

Danny says that without the regional trauma network available in our rural region, he could have lost his leg.

“I cannot say enough about how we are blessed and favored to have a trauma facility that is here when you are seriously injured,” says Danny. “It’s one of the greatest things for our community."