“It’s a miracle that Mr. Patrick is still alive” said Dr. David Wharton in December 1998. “Trench rescues aren’t usually rescues. They’re body recoveries,” referring to Darby Patrick who spent more than 15 hours under 19 feet of dirt when a ditch collapsed on him on Highway 58 in Harrison.
There was a dedicated and professional team of first responders who worked tirelessly to free Mr. Patrick saving his life. Mr. Patrick’s wife Julie and his one year old son Preston moved to Hamilton County that year while he continued treatment at Erlanger.
The Patricks' moved back to their home in NE Tennessee and remained friends with many of the people that were at the accident scene. Preston Patrick is now 16 years old and attending High School. He has joined the local volunteer fire department in their home town. This just seems like a way to pay it forward after all the support his family was given in Hamilton County.
The Patrick family will be back in Hamilton County on Saturday, where Preston will be presented a gift of all of the equipment required, including a fire fighter's hat, for his career endeavor. These are items that are usually an expense of the volunteer. These gifts will be presented by Chester Bankston the current Commissioner of District 9 and Bill Hullander the former Commissioner and now County Trustee.
The presentation will be at the Hullander farm at 10944 London Lane in Apison, t 5.45 p.m. and the public is invited.