Jillian McCarthy, The Daily Star, Oneonta, N.Y. (TNS)
A volunteer officiating the Delaware County Fair demolition derby on Saturday, Aug. 17 was injured by a fallen barrier and had to be taken for emergency surgery.
A GoFundMe page was created on Monday for Eric Eberling by his sister-in-law, Kristen Sperry.
As of Tuesday morning, the GoFundMe has reached more than $13,000 in donations, more than twice the $5,000 initial goal.
The GoFundMe stated that Eberling’s foot was “crushed,” requiring emergency surgery to amputate it.
It stated that in two days, Eberling is slated to undergo another procedure to remove “the lower section of his leg below the knee,” and in the next month he will be fitted for a prosthetic leg.
Fair Secretary Jason Craig said Monday that during the final heat of the derby on Saturday, the barrier between officials and the action tipped over and landed on Eberling.
“The derby usually brings injuries here and there, but nothing quite like what we had,” he said.
He said that Eberling was treated by the Walton Fire Department and EMS at the scene before being transferred to UHS Wilson Medical Center in Johnson City.
Craig said that since the injury ended the derby during the final heat, the drivers decided to donate the purse of more than $3,000 to Eberling’s family.
“The fair board’s thoughts are certainly with him as he recovers,” he said. “He might have a pretty tough road ahead of him but we’re behind him 100 percent.”
Sperry and Eric’s wife, Ashley Eberling, declined to comment Monday.
According the GoFundMe page, Eric Eberling owns Big E’s Shed Sleddin’ & Sales, a shed and camper hauling and sales business in Otego, and he is expected to be out of work for at least two months.
The Eberlings have two two daughters, ages 7 and 6, and are expecting a baby girl in November.
“Eric and Ashley are the most kindest, giving people I know,” Sperry said on the GoFundMe page. “Eric is the first one to show up to tow, plow or sponsor an event.”
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