03/02/06

Local Arcadian severely injured in welding explosion

Billy Cooper has undergone four surgeries, faces many more

ARCADIA -- A local father of two girls is in a coma and has undergone four surgeries since being severely injured in an explosion last week.

William "Billy" R. Cooper Jr., 35, suffered numerous injuries Feb. 23, particularly to his left leg, when an oil tank he was welding exploded.

According to his family, Cooper was working at Family Dynamics, formerly known as Consolidated Minerals Inc., on Pine Level Road near the Pine Level Methodist Church. Operations Manager Jeff Adams said Wednesday that Cooper was welding the tank, which was inside a shop, to put a leg stand on so it wouldn't turn over. The tank held used oil intended for disposal from tractors and power units.

Adams said Cooper apparently pierced the tank and a spark ignited the fumes inside it.

According to the fire department's report, a caller said Cooper had received burns on his arms, a tourniquet had been placed on his leg, bone was sticking out and the leg was twisted completely around.

Co-worker and friend Salvador Manriquez was first on the scene, although he didn't see what happened or hear the explosion.

"All I see is a lot of smoke and he (Cooper) was laying on the ground," Manriquez explained. He said that Cooper never lost consciousness and was in a lot of pain.

Manriquez told him, "Billy, don't move, you'll be fine."

Manriquez whipped into action, taking off his nail apron to wrap Cooper's leg, which was bleeding profusely, and to apply pressure to it. He got paper towels and put them over Cooper's mouth and nose to prevent smoke inhalation and called an ambulance, which Manriquez said arrived 20 to 30 minutes later. Manriquez also took Cooper's shoes off, at his request.

As Capt. William Walker and the B shift of the county fire department raced toward Pine Level, off State Road 70 east of Arcadia, people started pouring into the site "from all over," Manriquez said.

Cooper was airlifted to Tampa General Hospital, according to the fire department. His wife, Candie, and daughters Kelsey, 12, and KayCee, 4, along with his mother, sister and other members of the family, have been staying with him in Tampa at the Trauma Intensive Care Unit, Cooper's sister Brittany Metcalf-Bonagua said.

"Everybody's just pretty much taking it day by day," she said.

She said that Cooper is a "very well-liked, likable person" who is easygoing, yet also likes everything to go his way. He also loved to hunt.

"He's just one of those good ol' guys," Metcalf-Bonagua said.

Cooper's sister-in-law, Barbara Albritton, issued a press release stating that although "Bill is in stable condition, ...he remains in an induced coma state, and the road of recovery is going to be a very long one."

Metcalf-Bonagua said his left leg was broken in seven different places and has 7 inches of bone missing. Cooper's pelvis and left knee were crushed, and his left hip and socket broken. He has a hematoma on his kidney and light burns on his hands, feet and face. He also has lost extensive amounts of blood.

Cooper underwent his fourth surgery Wednesday and will have another one Friday or Monday. In the surgery Wednesday, his sister said plastic surgeons performed a "flap," bringing muscle around from the back of the leg to the front, along with some skin grafting. A surgical procedure known as "flushing" also has been performed.

Metcalf-Bonagua said that Cooper has been kept very sedated and is not fully aware of the extent of his injuries. He told his family, "Tell everybody I'm okay, my legs just hurt."

The family asks that all calls be directed to Albritton at (863) 990-9687 or to Alicia Cooper, Billy's mother, at (863) 990-5380. They say that at this time, it is difficult for most visitors to see Cooper.

The family wishes to "thank everyone for their help, thoughts, prayers and good wishes, which have been offered during this difficult time." They also thanked the DeSoto County emergency response personnel for their quick response and care for Cooper.

Cooper's family said they were especially grateful to Manriquez, for "taking control of the accident, no doubt saving Billy's life in the process."

Metcalf-Bonagua said, "If it wasn't for him (Manriquez), we might not have Billy. He knew exactly what to do, and he did exactly what he needed to do."

Cooper still needs blood, she said. The family said those who wish to donate blood can do so at the bloodmobile that will be at the Business Expo Saturday at DeSoto High School from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The family has set up an account under William R. Cooper Jr. at the Bank of America branch in Arcadia only, for those who wish to make donations.

You can e-mail Laura A. Schmid at lschmid@sun-herald.com.

By Laura A. Schmid

DeSoto News Editor