Eric Baker (right) is recovering from an accident involving a ruptured tire on Oct. 2. With Baker is his long-time friend Jose Avalos, who is holding the pants Baker was wearing the day of the accident.

Teen recovering after accident involving ruptured truck tire

Fifteen-year-old Eric Baker, who enjoys working, driving tractors and going to football games is gaining strength and energy to resume his “on-the-go” lifestyle, following an accident on Oct. 2 at his uncle’s business.

Baker was helping his uncle, Joe Carpenter, owner of Carpenter’s Evergreens in Ennice, when a large truck tire he was pumping air into ruptured. The resulting powerful gush of air blew Baker into the air.

“I was pumping a tire that needed an additional 20 pounds of pressure in it,” Baker explained. “I was sitting on the tire and as soon as I started pumping, it blew me into the air. They (witnesses) said I hit the building wall and then hit the concrete.”

He stated he does not remember any of this part because he was “blacked out” for the larger portion of the episode.

“The last thing I remember seeing is how the air had shredded my pants and then I blacked out again,” he said.

Prior to the incident, he had been helping his cousin, Jodi Carpenter, Alleghany High’s automotive teacher, with painting a trailer.

After the accident, Jodi Carpenter called 9-1-1. The first emergency responder to get to the scene was Glade Valley Volunteer Fire Department Chief David Higgins.

“The fire department had been outside setting up for something that day and were the first to respond to the call,” interjected Baker’s mother Deborah Bourne. “As soon as David took a look at Eric, he told them (the dispatchers) to call for air care.”

Bourne arrived on the scene soon after getting a call at work notifying her that her son had been hurt.

Baker was airlifted to Wake Forest University Medical Center in Winston-Salem, where he was treated for bruising and soft tissue damage. “I hope to return to school in a week or two,” Baker said on Oct. 15. “They said it could take six to eight weeks before I can lift anything heavier than a school book,” he said smiling.

He further noted that it could be four weeks before he walks “normally.”

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