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JULY 2018 • COUNTRY LIFE IN BC Henderson continues on a crash course


This is episode 100 of Rural Redemption. It is a story that began in 2010 and has vastly exceeded its original life expectancy. This is not the fault of the author who, believing that even a welcome guest can stay too long, offers annually to bring it to a fond conclusion. The offer has been refused routinely by the publishers who justify its continued existence with the explanation: “Some people read it.” Enough of you,apparently, to ensure the Hendersons and their neighbours will find their way to this page every month for the foreseeable future. For this, they, and I, thank you all.


The volunteer fire


department truck wailed its way up the Henderson driveway and headed for the barn when they caught sight


to confer with Jimmy. “What do you think?”


Woodshed


Chronicles by BOB COLLINS


of Newt waving them on. The chief, Jimmy Vincent, was the first man out of the truck. “Hey, Newt. What now?”


asked Jimmy. “Henderson’s under all this on his tractor.”


“Is he conscious?” “Oh yeah, I’ve been inside and had a talk with him.” “Bleeding?”


“Not that I can see.” “Is he pinned anywhere?” “I don’t believe so.” “HEY!” hollered Kenneth. “I can hear you, you know! Cut the chatter and get me out of here! I can’t move my right leg!”


“Hold your horses, Mr. Henderson. We’ll be right with you,” said Jimmy. “We just need to make sure we can get to you safely.” “I don’t think there’s much chance of anything else coming down,” said Newt. “What’s down so far is sitting on the roll bar.” Jimmy nodded and led the


four-person extrication team into the barn. They scanned the smashed posts and broken beams with their flashlights. Satisfied that there was no imminent peril, Jimmy and Louise Phillips approached the victim. Louise, who was a registered nurse when she wasn’t putting out fires, took the lead. “Mr. Henderson, my name


is Louise and I…”


She was cut off in mid sentence. “Oh, for gawd’s sake,


woman! I don’t care what your name is! Just get me the hell out of here!” “We’ll do that as quickly as


we can. Can you tell me what day it is?”


Kenneth directed a stream of random profanity at Louise Phillips. She asked him several more questions and he answered each the same way. Louise retreated several steps


whispered Jimmy. “He seems incoherent and combative. I don’t see anything obvious, but he might have taken a knock on the head. Let’s play it safe and put him on the spine board. I’ll need to get a closer look at his leg before we try to move


him.” Jimmy called for the


cervical collar and spine board while Louise returned to examine Kenneth’s leg. Kenneth was becoming more agitated and profane by the minute. Louise retreated once more. “How’s that leg look?”


asked Jimmy. “Is it paralysed?” “I guess you could call it


that,” said Louise. The gear shift is up his pant leg. I can fix that with the scissors.” Louise climbed onto the back of the tractor and put Kenneth’s neck in the cervical collar. She called on Tim Lewis, the biggest, burliest fireman of them all, to immobilize his head. Louise then managed to


free Kenneth’s trapped leg by splitting the inseam and detaching the leg of his trousers six inches above his knee.


Once free of the shifter, Kenneth began to struggle from his seat. He felt Tim Lewis’ rugby pitch grip tighten on his head. Despite his struggles and swearing, he was lifted firmly from the tractor and trussed tightly to the spine board. Just as the last strap was tightened, the ambulance wailed into the yard. “Perfect timing,” said


Jimmy. “Let’s get you out of here and into that ambulance, shall we, Mr. Henderson?” Kenneth made an


unflattering assessment of Jimmy’s ancestry. “You’re welcome. I’ll be sure


to pass your comments along to the rest of the team,” said Jimmy. Louise explained the situation to the paramedics. “His name is Kenneth Henderson.”


“Is this the same guy we


picked up here a couple of weeks ago?” asked the paramedic, remembering all


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the expletives that had been directed his way on that trip, and how nitrous oxide had saved the day. Just as they were about load Kenneth into the ambulance, Harriet Murray slowed to a stop and advanced on them with camera and note pad in hand. “Goodness me, what’s happened here then?” she asked. “Anyone care to comment?” “By golly, Harriet, when it comes to sniffin’ out a news story, you could put a pack of bloodhounds to shame. Maybe we should sign you up for the fire department,” said Jimmy.


“No need. I just follow the


sirens and if I lose track of them, it seems like a good bet this is where they’re headed.” No one was willing to talk to Harriet about it, but she took several pictures and the version she concocted for the local paper was too close to the truth for anyone to argue with. After the ambulance left, Deborah thanked them all once again and said she should probably head for the hospital in case she needed to bring Kenneth home. Louise said she was pretty sure they would want to keep him


overnight for observation and maybe Deborah should give them a call in an hour or two to see how he was. ttt


When Deborah phoned the


hospital, the doctor explained that there were no apparent physical injuries but Kenneth had seemed unduly agitated. They had decided to sedate him and keep him overnight for observation and that she should check back after 10 tomorrow morning. After the call, she went to the barn to find Christopher. He was inside with the calves. Doug McLeod was with him. “Hello, Deborah. I heard about the accident and came to see if I could help at all.” “Is it safe to be in here?” she


asked. “I think it’s fine. I


recommend moving the calves to the other end of the barn and as long as everyone uses the end door and stays away from the tractor, they’ll be out of harm’s way. “How’s Kenneth?” “He’s okay. They’re keeping


him overnight as a precaution, but he should be back tomorrow.” “Mr. McLeod says he’ll help me and we can take the tin off the roof and get the rafters down so we can get the


tractor out,” said Christopher. “That’s very generous, but


I’m sure Mr. McLeod has more important things to do. I think we should let your father deal with it.” Clay Garrison’s truck stopped outside the barn. Ashley peered into the collapsed doorway. “Is everyone okay? What happened? Where’s Daddy?” “Everyone is fine. I’m not


sure what happened, and your Dad is spending the night in the hospital, but he’s not hurt.” Ashley and Clay offered to help Christopher move the calves to the other box stall. Doug and Deborah walked out of the barn. “Are you still planning to


go to rehearsal tonight?” asked Doug. “Yes, unless the hospital


calls. Are you?” “Yeah. They want us to try on the costumes and run through our musical numbers in full dress.” “What time?” “We’re up last; 7:30 to eight.


See you then.” “Bye,” said Deborah as Doug pulled away. Daisy Mae felt like running


after him, but Deborah Henderson wouldn’t let her. ... to be continued


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