It's Been Rough

I was at my brazing stand yesterday, just brazing away, when I heard a pop. 

I didn't think too much of it, since the newest automatic brazer has been popping like that for the last couple of weeks.  But this pop was different. 

This pop was immediately followed by a very loud boom, and the sound of metal hitting the floor. 

Something on the auto-brazer had exploded.  I'm not sure what.  Something with the hoses they said.  And the girl who was standing closest to it when it blew lost the hearing in one ear. 

Before you ask, yes she was wearing ear plugs.   No, they don't yet if the damage will be permanent.  They are sending her to a specialist to see what can be done for her.


I was at my brazing stand today, just brazing away, when I heard a bunch of yelling.  People were pointing and running.  People were crouched around someone on the floor.  I didn't know who it was, or what had happened.  I saw Mr. Brown kneeling.  I saw Billy running.  Someone called 911.  Mac was doing CPR.  They brought out that defibrillator thing.  Adrienne came out from the front office.  All the maintenance guys were crowded around, kneeling, watching, worrying...

Slowly the word came.

It was Randall (the head of the maintenance department). 

He'd had a heart attack.

He was dead, dudes.  Dead.  Not breathing.  No pulse.  Mac had brought him back. 

After what seemed an eternity, the ambulance finally got there.  The EMT's worked on Randall for a long time, then finally lifted him on to the gurney and took him out. 

He had not regained consciousness. 

I haven't heard any more about how he is doing.  Maybe I can find out something tomorrow.

For now, all we can do is pray.