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 Watching the sunrise from the top of an oil tank is an experience Marcus McKinney will never forget. It was a plan he and three other friends thought was a good idea. "It was the first time I had ever gone to an oil field to hang out, and it will be the last time I hang out in an oil field", explains McKinney.
After a night out, McKinney and three friends decided to stay out a little longer to watch the sunrise in an oil field near Heflin, Louisiana. The plan seemed innocent enough.
McKinney, who was afraid to get on top of the oil tank, stood on a catwalk attached to the tank. He remembers a funny, rumbling noise that turned into a huge blast. The top of the tank was blown off, flames and hot oil were spewing. McKinney's close friend was killed in the explosion, McKinney suffered third degree burns on more than 48% of his body.
"Flames ignited my shirt burning the back of my head, my back and my sides-all the way down to my waist-and my arms. My chest and face were not burned," explained McKinney. "Hot oil kept spewing as I ran to escape the fire. Reluctantly, I jumped about 20 feet to the ground to get away from the fire and hot oil."
McKinney has undergone nine surgeries and used more than 70 units of blood products as a result of his injuries. He may need more surgeries as his recovery continues. So far, he is healing well. His physical therapist urges him not to rush his recovery, but to realize it takes time to heal.
McKinney still plans to attend automotive repair school in Houston and wants to work for BMW after he graduates. His plans have been delayed a year because of the accident, but his ambition is still intact.
McKinney, who will be 19 soon, says he had given blood three times since turning 17. He never thought he would use blood.
"I tell people to continue giving blood because you never know when you will need it. I ask people to imagine themselves in my situation and what they would want someone to do. I really appreciate everyone who has given blood for me, those I know and those I don't know," says McKinney. |
