Beth Rumsey, Staff Writer

"For a moment, I lost concentration,” said George Smith, Versailles. Smith was mowing around a pond located on his property on October 14, 2006, when something in the pond caught his eye. Without stopping, he glanced over and that is when the tractor rolled over.

Smith’s wife, Georgia was preparing to attend a hayride at church. According to Mrs. Smith, she had watched her husband pass by on the tractor. When she went to the freezer to get something for the hayride, she looked out the window and saw the tractor was down. She ran outside, screaming his name with no answer. Mrs. Smith dialed 911, and in no time emergency workers arrived. “He was lucky I was here,” said Mrs. Smith.

“I don’t know if I jumped off, or if my guardian angels lifted me,” said Smith. He felt the tractor roll over him three or four times. Smith landed at the bottom of the hill underneath the front wheel of the tractor.

Smith was taken to University Hospital in Cincinnati. There, doctors repaired his hip, and Smith was put in a <quote> ”turtle shell” to protect his injured ribs and vertebrae. Smith later had additional surgeries on his hip, which included a total hip replacement on April 9, 2008.

There were additional complications to the injury. Smith developed an infection, which required twice weekly trips to Cincinnati for IV therapy. It was discovered that Smith was allergic to certain types of antibiotics. It was after the third antibiotic was introduced before the infection began to clear up.

“God took care of me after the accident,” said Smith. “And He has been ever since.”

Smith is self-employed, and does not have any insurance. The couple have incurred a lot of debt due to the surgeries, and the multiple trips to Cincinnati.

Area churches are hosting a hog roast and fried chicken dinner on Saturday, May 3 at the Friendship Firehouse. Serving will begin at 4:00 p.m., with a free will offering to be given to the Smith family. Those attending the dinner will have the opportunity to bid on various items in a silent auction. For more information, contact Pastor Jack Bible at 812-654-3391 or Pastor Sherman Hughes at 812-667-5336. Those interested in donating items for the silent auction can contact Korrinn Wood at 812-667-7568.

“I would like to give a big thanks to everyone who has helped, sent cards, and made phone calls,” said wife Georgia. Smith emphatically stated, “Prayer works.”

BETH RUMSEY PHOTO George Smith stands in front of the hill where he had a tractor accident in 2006. Self-employed, Smith has been out of work since 2006.