Bicycle tube tourniquet helps save injured state senator
By Associated PressCENTRAL POINT, Ore. (AP) -- When an Oregon state senator lay bleeding on a campaign sign on his garage floor, wounded by an accidental gunshot, his wife grabbed something handy and flexible to stanch the bleeding — a bicycle tube. The quick thinking by Stephanie Atkinson spared her husband, Republican Jason Atkinson, more serious injury, said Jason's brother, Andy Atkinson. She used the tube as a tourniquet, he said. Jason Atkinson is listed in serious condition at a Medford hospital. He was wounded Tuesday while working on a friend's bicycle. From it, he detached a small cloth bag that, unbeknown to him, held a two-shot, .38-caliber derringer, police say. Police say he dropped it, and the gun went off. Andy Atkinson said the bullet missed the right kneecap, but his brother worries his thigh bone may be damaged. "He's aware he's going to have reconstructive surgery," said Andy Atkinson. The 37-year-old Republican state senator and 2006 contender for the Republican nomination for governor saw friends and visitors Wednesday. "He is one tough guy," said Sen. Alan Bates, an Ashland Democrat. "He's taking it like a champ." Atkinson works on his and friends' bikes in his garage, using old campaign signs to protect the floor from grease. One sign was stained with blood from the accident as a Central Point detective investigated the scene Wednesday afternoon Lt. Steve McGee of the Central Point Police Department said he doesn't expect charges to be filed. He refused to release the name of the man whose derringer discharged. "It is absolutely clear in my mind that it is a tragic, unfortunate accident," McGee said. Some derringers can fire accidentally because they don't have the safety features of other guns, McGee said. He said they have hammers that drive pins into primer and could discharge if the hammer strikes the floor. Atkinson is reportedly considering another run for governor in 2010 and is an honorary co-chairman of the John McCain campaign in Oregon. Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. |
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