Four injured at Hanover Tomato Festival
Published: July 11, 2009
Four workers at the Hanover Tomato Festival suffered burns today when a vat of hot cooking oil was tipped over.
A little after noon, a worker tripped where they were making funnel cakes, knocking over a vat of cooking oil that was between 350 and 425 degrees Fahrenheit. The worker and three other workers, all employees of the vendor, were burned by the oil.
Two victims were air-lifted to VCU Medical Center and the other two were taken by ambulance. The two more seriously injured were burned over 30 percent of their bodies. The other two had burns to their arms and legs.
Fire and EMS personnel at the festival had no details about the identities of the injured workers. None of the injuries appeared to be life-threatening.
Reader Reactions
I didn’t even know the festival was going on. I’ve always wanted to go. Oh, well, guess I missed it again.
But, what I can say is that I’ve been burned by funnel cake oil. All the way down one leg. It was the most horrific pain I’ve ever felt, other than an infection afterwards. An oil burn is bad because it absorbs into the skin. It burns deeply. Putting water on it doesn’t help. It repels water and the hot oil soaks into the skin and tissue.
So, I’ve been there and can realize what these folks are going through and I would encourage them to keep their faith, rely on their family and friends to keep their spirits up and know that some day the pain will go away. To the friends and family, please realize the trauma that your loved ones faced is supposedly the worst pain one can feel.
I’ve had broken bones, had a baby naturally, and by a long shot, none come close to the pain and suffering of an oil burn, but an infection at the site afterwards was much worse. So, please love them, encourage them and be patient and encourage their patience for a long road of recovery. Hopefully all will eventually get through it just fine.
And, with the repairs available 20 years ago, I have such little scarring that nobody today can tell. So, hopefully these folks can be completely be made entirely whole again and not be concerned about disfigurations. Best to all affected.
Thank God for VCU Medical Center and for the excellent trauma team down there.
And just think, several years ago there were thoughts of closing the Evans-Haynes Burn Unit.
May these injured folks have a speedy recovery.
My family and I were at the festival just 100 feet from where this happened. Our prayers go out to the families and to the workers who were injuried in this accident.
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