Posted by Gale Rainwater on October 19, 2009 at 10:18 AM
I wanted to let everyone know about a serious accident fellow photographer Ed Cooley had here in my home state of Arkansas. Ed post mostly on CSNP and on ESS. He has taken many workshops from many members of NPN from all over the US. We have had a very rare rainy fall in Arkansas and Ed made difficult hike to a beautiul waterfall known as Twin Falls. While there the bluff above the falls gave way and Ed fell over 30 feet. He broke his pelvis, ankle and collar bone in the fall and landed in the cold water. THANK GOD Ed had a SPOT personal tracker. He pressed the 911 button with notified the authorities of the emergency and his location. He laid in the water for hours before help arrived and it took all night to rescue Ed from this steep creek drainage. Ed is in the hospital where he has had surgery and has more to come.
You can read more of the details about Ed's ordeal on the CSNP forum. The thread is "Search and resue in the Devils fork drainage?"
Ed needs out thought's and prayers right now. He has a long tough road of recovery ahead. Here is an update from Ed in his own words from an e-mail.
"I had surgery yesterday in fayetteville then came by ambulance to st. Francis north in tulsa. I have the pelvic surgery tomorrow and a third in the queue for my leg. The prognosis is good. Doc said it would take many months of therapy but suspected a complete covery if I did the work.
I apreciate your prayers and have been surprised by the outpouring of love and support."
Posted by Joseph Kayne on October 19, 2009 at 10:20 AM
I had the pleasure of guiding Ed in Escalante. I'm so sorry to hear this and hope he recovers quickly. I carry a PLB with me for these types of emergencies as well. Glad Ed had the presence of mind to use his SPOT (and that it was within reach).
Oh my gosh, Ed! I am so sorry for your terrible mishap. I really feel for you having such trauma with the fall, the delayed rescue and now all the surgery. I pray that you can keep up your strength and courage and that you have a lot of support and comfort during this ordeal.
Posted by Mark Windom on October 19, 2009 at 6:25 PM
My thoughts are with you, Ed. Here's wishing for a quick return to the field....
Posted by Hali Sowle on October 19, 2009 at 6:33 PM
All my hopes for a swift and complete recovery, and a quick return to what you love.
Posted by Nathan Buck on October 19, 2009 at 7:40 PM
Hoping for the best for you Ed. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.
I decided to share Ed's information and story on some of the other forums. I thought the outpouring of thoughts and prayers from other NPN member was appropriate. I also knew Ed has taken several workshops from other members on NPN that would want to know also.
I got a nice e-mail from Ed's son-in-law today and wanted to just pass the information along.
"I am Ed's son-in-law and thought that you might like to hear the latest.
He is in very good spirits and is in a pretty good bit of pain but is thankful to be alive. His injuries were a broken collarbone, shattered ankle and an open book pelvic fracture. He had a surgery at Washington Regional Friday afternoon to clean out his leg to reduce the risk of infection. They cut off the part of the bone that was sticking out and put an external fixator on his leg to hold it in place.
He spent Saturday in Fayetteville visiting with friends and family for most of the day. This was a huge encouragement for all of us. He was transported to St Francis in Tulsa on Sunday afternoon where he will see a trauma specialist. His wife Faith and daughter Lizzy are there with him. Lizzy is my wife and is currently pregnant with Ed's third grandchild. The third grandbaby should really boost his spirits even more in the next month.
As of right now he is scheduled to have his pelvic fracture repaired at 230 Tuesday and they will repair his ankle on Wednesday or Thursday. Everything is going very well considering the accident. He should be back in Northwest Arkansas next week to begin the recovery process.
I have setup and email address for anyone who would like to send a message to Ed. I will get these and take them to Ed later this week. The address is ed@traviswilliams.net.
I also post updates on my twitter account and my blog.
http://twitter.com/Travis_Williams
http://www.traviswilliams.net
Ed also has a twitter account and blog but I am not sure when he will be posting. I know he posted a tweet last night.
http://twitter.com/edcooley
http://www.whiterivergallery.com/blog
Once again, our entire family thanks you and everyone else that helped save Ed's life.
--
Travis Williams"
Let's all send a quick e-mail to let Ed know we are thinking of him.
Posted by Bill Stice on October 19, 2009 at 8:03 PM
Ed, I am sorry to hear of your accident and it really hits home at how easy it would be for any of us to end up in the same situation. Congratulations for keeping your cool and getting through the rescue. I wish you the speediest of recoveries and hope to see you posting here again real soon!
Best wishes for a speedy recovery! So sorry to hear of your accident. Sharon
Posted by Paul DeCesare on October 19, 2009 at 11:24 PM
Ed, we are SO thankful you are here and with us. The therapy road will be very rough but you've got a big gathering praying and pulling for ya! We wish you endurance for the recovery, and a speedy one at that.
I hope you have a quick and full recovery. You are in our thoughts. Hang in there.
Posted by Dan Baumbach on October 20, 2009 at 10:12 AM
Best wishes for a full and speedy recovery.
- Dan.
Posted by Bill Chambers on October 20, 2009 at 10:25 AM
So sorry to hear about the accident, but very thankful Ed had a PLB on him and was able to activate it! Wishing you the best in your recovery ED - take care!!
Posted by William Vrolyk on October 20, 2009 at 12:11 PM
What an ordeal. Get well soon, Ed.
Will
Edmonton, Alberta
Canada
Posted by Richard Wong on October 20, 2009 at 6:02 PM
Ed, best wishes for a speed and complete recovery!!!
Posted by Tony Kuyper on October 20, 2009 at 9:25 PM
Wow, this is scary stuff. I'm so glad you're safe, Ed, and on the mend. While it'll no doubt take time to recover, we're all wishing you the best and looking forward to having you and your pictures back with us.
Posted by Julie Hatvany on October 20, 2009 at 9:53 PM
You will remain in our thoughts and prayers for the duration of your recovery. Hoping it is a rapid as possible.
Posted by John Williams on October 21, 2009 at 11:49 AM
Holy cow Ed! Best wishes for a speedy recovery.
Posted by Dorin Bofan on October 21, 2009 at 3:28 PM
I wish you a full recovery, Ed! It's hard, but be strong!
Posted by Bruce Palla on October 21, 2009 at 5:39 PM
My prayers go out to you and I believe I'll be purchasing a SPOT locater as I shoot alone. Very scary.
I didn't realize this thread was here until I discovered by accident today. (No pun intended).
I sincerely appreciate the prayers and encouragement from so many friends and acquaintances on NPN. Reviewing the images posted on NPN was a big part of keeping me sane during the recovery and rehab.
I have had a relatively smooth recovery and took my first hikes since the accident last week. It was so wonderful to be out and about again.
Thanks again and I hope to see many of you in the field.
Discussion
34 repliesYou can read more of the details about Ed's ordeal on the CSNP forum. The thread is "Search and resue in the Devils fork drainage?"
http://www.naturephotographers.net/imagecritique/bbs.cgi?a=vm&mr=48174&CGISESSID=e0689606c8a6b152b23a24155efa1a9e&u=10074
Ed needs out thought's and prayers right now. He has a long tough road of recovery ahead. Here is an update from Ed in his own words from an e-mail.
"I had surgery yesterday in fayetteville then came by ambulance to st. Francis north in tulsa. I have the pelvic surgery tomorrow and a third in the queue for my leg. The prognosis is good. Doc said it would take many months of therapy but suspected a complete covery if I did the work.
I apreciate your prayers and have been surprised by the outpouring of love and support."
Guy
All the best & get well soon!
Jagdeep Rajput
Judith
Lon
Richard
Nathan
I got a nice e-mail from Ed's son-in-law today and wanted to just pass the information along.
"I am Ed's son-in-law and thought that you might like to hear the latest.
He is in very good spirits and is in a pretty good bit of pain but is thankful to be alive. His injuries were a broken collarbone, shattered ankle and an open book pelvic fracture. He had a surgery at Washington Regional Friday afternoon to clean out his leg to reduce the risk of infection. They cut off the part of the bone that was sticking out and put an external fixator on his leg to hold it in place.
He spent Saturday in Fayetteville visiting with friends and family for most of the day. This was a huge encouragement for all of us. He was transported to St Francis in Tulsa on Sunday afternoon where he will see a trauma specialist. His wife Faith and daughter Lizzy are there with him. Lizzy is my wife and is currently pregnant with Ed's third grandchild. The third grandbaby should really boost his spirits even more in the next month.
As of right now he is scheduled to have his pelvic fracture repaired at 230 Tuesday and they will repair his ankle on Wednesday or Thursday. Everything is going very well considering the accident. He should be back in Northwest Arkansas next week to begin the recovery process.
I have setup and email address for anyone who would like to send a message to Ed. I will get these and take them to Ed later this week. The address is ed@traviswilliams.net.
I also post updates on my twitter account and my blog.
http://twitter.com/Travis_Williams
http://www.traviswilliams.net
Ed also has a twitter account and blog but I am not sure when he will be posting. I know he posted a tweet last night.
http://twitter.com/edcooley
http://www.whiterivergallery.com/blog
Once again, our entire family thanks you and everyone else that helped save Ed's life.
--
Travis Williams"
Let's all send a quick e-mail to let Ed know we are thinking of him.
I hope you have a quick and full recovery. You are in our thoughts. Hang in there.
- Dan.
Will
Edmonton, Alberta
Canada
I sincerely appreciate the prayers and encouragement from so many friends and acquaintances on NPN. Reviewing the images posted on NPN was a big part of keeping me sane during the recovery and rehab.
I have had a relatively smooth recovery and took my first hikes since the accident last week. It was so wonderful to be out and about again.
Thanks again and I hope to see many of you in the field.