Accident at the Sinks!

Safety is paramount in spelunking (caving). In all the field trips that I conducted, there was only one major accident. This happened at the Sinks of Gandy, which is a comparatively easy cave to transverse.

On this trip in the spring of 1977, I had extra help from Ed Donatell, a work-study student who was employed by the Foundations Division at Glenville State College. Ed is one of those special students who capture your heart. His major was Physical Education and he was a joy to have assist in the office. On this trip Ed decided that he would join the crew.

The students entered the cave and I followed at the rear of the group to assure that everyone had their equipment in fine working order. As I entered the dark region of the entrance, I heard what gives any caving instructor a sick feeling in one’s gut. “Wow, you cut yourself”, said Ed. Paul, one of the caving students, shouted enthusiastically, “I am fine, let’s continue!” Upon arriving at the scene, I discovered that Paul had stepped on what he thought was a rock, but was actually two rocks. His leg went through the rocks and they had cut his ankle very close to the Achilles’ tendon. I shined the light and saw muscles, blood, and tendons!

OK- we are off to the emergency room. It was no short trip (an hour) since the closest was at Elkins. Paul could not walk so Ed carried the lad on his back to the van.

After treatment at the Elkins hospital, Paul emerged with a full leg cast under which hid many stitches. Of course, we all had to sign the plaster registry. Paul recovered and I do wonder what he is doing these days. Ed Donatell went on to professional football. He is presently Defensive Coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons. This spring, Ed was inducted into the Curtis Elam Athletic Hall of Fame at Glenville State College.