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Carp farmer loses arms in accident, now recovering in hospital
By Brandy Harrison CARP A Carp dairy farmer who lost both arms in a tragic farm accident in mid-December is on the road to recovery, asking about the farm and local goings-on from his hospital bed, with no thought of packing it in. “Hes anxious to shorten his stay in the hospital and get on the road home again. Its certainly a long road, but every day is another step closer,” says Wib Paul, the brother of injured dairy farmer Ken Paul. During morning chores on Dec. 17, 69-year-old Paul was transferring corn silage from a forage wagon into a feed bunk when he fell backwards, becoming entangled in the wagons power takeoff shaft. It severed his left arm at the shoulder and his right arm above the elbow. Hearing the commotion, a helper at the farm, who was nearby with Pauls son, Bruce, immediately shut off the power takeoff and the tractor and called 911. Once paramedics arrived at Appaulo Farms Ltd. after 8 a.m., the rush-hour congested eastbound lanes of Hwy 417 into Ottawa were closed to give the ambulance, escorted by Ottawa police, a clear path to the Civic Campus of The Ottawa Hospital. The family is grateful for the quick response, care, and professionalism of first responders, including paramedics, fire services, and the Ottawa Police Service crisis management unit, as well as the emergency and trauma units at the Civic, says Wib. “Those people have been just tremendous right from the time of the accident until now,” he says, adding that the groundswell of local support has been a comfort to the whole family, particularly Pauls wife, Barb, and his children, Bruce, Barry, and Faye. “Neighbours came over and assisted with chores. Others called and emailed with best wishes from far and wide.” Still recuperating at the Civic, Paul was up and walking before the new year. His medical team is working towards fitting him with prostheses. Paul is looking forward to getting back to work at the farm, says Wib. “There is no question. Hes positive and looking to move on. Every day he seems to be getting better.”
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