[TheForge] Sculptor Albert Paley burned: Rochester

[lama]

Sculptor burned: Rochester
- Albert Paley, a world-renowned metal sculptor whose monumental =
creations grace museums, plazas, universities and corporate courtyards =
from Washington to San Francisco, suffered serious burns in a blowtorch =
mishap at an artist's studio.

Paley, 58, was in guarded condition at a hospital Saturday with second- =
and third-degree burns over more than 20 percent of his body, mostly his =
head, chest, left arm and legs.

He was cutting metal with a propane torch when a gas line burst and set =
his clothes on fire around midday Friday, authorities said. Emergency =
crews found him hosing himself off outside the studio.

###  http://www.democratandchronicle.com/news/0729story065735_news.shtml

-----------------------------------------
Dear Friends of Albert's,

I spoke with Albert's daughter today and have some current information.  =
We=20
cleared with Francis, Albert's wife, that it would be alright to =
disclose=20
daily just how Albert is doing.  I will be speaking with Kimberly or=20
Francis every day and bringing you the most current information =
available.

Here is what Kimberly told me today:
Albert was up in the air in a bucket style man lift  doing torch work on =
a=20
sculpture. He was way up in the air  a when a hose ruptured. The fuel =
gas=20
(propane) went to the bottom of the lift bucket where he stood. He had =
two=20
men on the ground working with him but neither knew how to operate the=20
lift. Albert simultaneously put the flames out himself and got  down =
from=20
the lift. He had his men immediately dousing him with cold water from =
the=20
hose. Medical units were on site immediately, as was Francis who was =
then=20
able to ride with him in the ambulance to the hospital.

He was taken to Strong Memorial Burn Unit. He has very seriously burned =
but=20
he is making good progress. His left hand was badly burned. Fortunately =
it=20
was to the skin layers and not the muscle layers. His ear, Cheeks and =
part=20
of legs were burned as well. He was scheduled for surgery today but they =

saw new growth of cells and postponed surgery to watch and see if he =
could=20
re generate most of the necessary cells himself rather than have skin=20
grafts. He heals very quickly from burns based on past experience.

Albert was wearing his full heavy leather gear, goggles for eye =
protection,=20
good hair protection, gloves and masks suitable for the job. He was =
doing=20
everything correctly to protect himself but the hose simply burst. =
Propane=20
being heaver than air, then spilled into the bottom of the lift under =
his=20
feet and burst into flames.

Albert is in complete control of his mind and insists upon writing down=20
everything that comes across it.  There isn't anyone more determined =
than=20
Albert to get out of there  and back to work.  This will be a long haul =
and=20
it is distressing but Albert will be alright.

I'll be speaking to Kimberly again tomorrow and I will be in touch.  =
Please=20
pass this along to those on your list who you know will want to know.  I =

had a huge melt down on my machi\ne and my address book is not as =
complete=20
as it once way.

Thanks,
Dorothy
------------------------------------------------------------

Dave Mudge  dave@magichammer.net
http://magichammer.ironworkers.com
http://magichammer.freeservers.com
"Our lives begin to end the day we become=20
silent about things that matter"  M.L. King



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