Virgil Barker
Despite the erroneous reports by other news outlets, the victim of a Saturday explosion is still in very critical condition.
According to Virgil Barker’s family, a plastic surgery team assessed his burns on Tuesday and if the doctors can get his oxygen level to a safe point, they are planning to start skin grafting soon.
“The plan is to do his face, neck and the back of his legs on Friday. Those are the most crucial areas,” said the family. “The doctors need to get the damaged skin off to try and eliminate greater risks for infection.”
Barker will remain in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center for quite some time, but the doctors are impressed with how strong he is, according to his family.
Barker, 69, was severely injured in an explosion at Barker’s Towing, located along state Route 41 near Jeffersonville, around noon on Satuday.
Barker was welding a metal cylinder tank when something ignited and severely injuring him.
“We arrived on scene and there was a small fire in the back where someone was torching on a barrel,” said Jefferson Township Fire Chief Greg Pettit. “When the barrel got hot, it caused an explosion; I don’t know what was inside the barrel.”
The explosion was reportedly heard two miles away.
The barrel flew over 100 yards in the air, according to Pettit, and severely injured Barker by causing over 90% burns to his body.
A medical helicopter was called to the scene where Barker was decontaminated and transported to The Wexner Medical Center in Columbus.
“He’s a really nice guy and we wish him the best,” Pettit said.
Fayette County Emergency Management, Fayette County EMS, and Fayette County Sheriff’s office responded to the scene and assisted.
Barker’s family has set up a website to keep the community informed on a daily basis of his condition. People can also leave their well wishes for Barker. By late Tuesday night, nearly two thousand people visited the website and over 100 left comments. Click here for the website.