Another sad day at Kirkham Motorsports

David Kirkham · #1 (**permalink**) 04-03-2005, 08:10 PM

Gents:

I just received word one of our welders, Luke (a dear friend of mine) just had a terrible automobile accident in Poland. Many of you met his brother Peter here at our open house this January. (Peter is the one who was fixing the car that hit the deer.) Luke was traveling home and somehow hit a tree and crushed his foot and his jaw. He does not remember what happened. He will be operated on tomorrow to rebuild his lower jaw. They removed 8 teeth last night.

He is a very young guy, about 22, who started to work for us when he was only 14 as an apprentice. One day we needed a welder, and without saying anything, he grabbed the torch and never looked back. Today most of our production frames, especially the stainless ones, were welded by him.

To make matters worse, he was accidentally severely burned about a month ago when someone unwittingly handed him a drop light while he was changing the gas tank on his car and the car, with him, went up in flames. He was just released from the hospital a few days ago from that accident. In Poland they have a saying, "Bad luck comes in pairs." Unfortunately, it has proven to be true this time--in more ways than one.

Any thoughts and prayers would be certainly appreciated at this time.

David

misfit41 · #2 (**permalink**) 04-03-2005, 08:16 PM

I certainly give my best wishes,,and know first hand what a thing like this can do to a family,,wising all the best,,Tim k

HI Cobra · #3 (**permalink**) 04-03-2005, 08:20 PM

David,

Sorry to hear about this. Will keep Luke in my prayers for a speedy
recovery. Hopefully this is it on bad stuff for him. Kind of young to
going through a wringer of this magnitude. Just hope it isn't three's
like sometimes happens - two is more than enough for him.

I'm hoping this is it for hearing about another bad day for the Kirkhams!

Jamo · #4 (**permalink**) 04-03-2005, 09:04 PM

Yup, I had a bit of a conversation (as much as possible) with Peter as he was willing the deer imprints away. That's sad news...especially about the dental since I know that kind of pain.

rbray · #5 (**permalink**) 04-04-2005, 05:31 AM

Luke is on my prayer list. Best wishes for a speedy recovery

Robert T. Faust · #6 (**permalink**) 04-04-2005, 09:17 AM

Wow, the lad has certainly been having a bit a of bad luck. Best wishes on a speedy recovery.

David Kirkham · #7 (**permalink**) 04-04-2005, 02:36 PM

Thank you all for your kind words and thoughts. I stay with his family every time I go to Poland. I sincerely appreciate your thoughts.

David

David Kirkham · #8 (**permalink**) 04-22-2005, 05:08 PM

UPDATE:

Luke has finally gone home after several operations. He is resting. We can hardly wait until he is back on his feet again. We surely miss him.

David

David Kirkham · #9 (**permalink**) 04-28-2005, 05:21 PM

We got some pictures of the wreck today. Pretty sobering. I am amazed he survived!

David

David Kirkham · #10 (**permalink**) 04-28-2005, 05:26 PM

Another picture. Notice the above picture where the driver's seat is almost touching the steering wheel.

In this picture the REAR doors are pushed back 4-6 inches. What a mess! I am just glad he is ok and smiling.

David

ALLEN ENGLISH · #11 (**permalink**) 04-28-2005, 05:33 PM

Ouch! Glad he made it out alive.

lovehamr · #12 (**permalink**) 04-28-2005, 05:35 PM

"We got some pictures of the wreck today. Pretty sobering. I am amazed he survived!"

David,
Ya know man, I've been in Law Enforcement for 24 years and every now and then you see something that lets you know, in no uncertain terms, that the big guy upstairs has a plan. If he decides to snatch you from the tiger's teeth, you know that it's his will and we all have something to be grateful for. My prayers go out to Luke and I wish him God speed. To you and your family; thank you for taking care of your "troops".

Steve