NAVARRE BEACH, Fla. — A Georgia musician is fighting for his life after being seriously injured in an accident while helping remove hurricane debris in Florida.
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Matthew Bell, 28, a bluegrass guitarist, was working in Navarre Beach, Fla., on Oct. 27 when he was hit by a low-hanging cable while riding on top of a moving debris-removal tractor-trailer, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Officials said the 28-year-old was sitting in the boom operator’s seat on top of the moving truck when it traveled underneath the cable. The cable hit Bell, causing him to fall from the truck onto the roadway.
Bell was flown to Ascension Sacred Heart Trauma Center in Pensacola, Fla., where he remains in critical condition but stable, according to Georgia Bluegrass.
He has undergone several surgeries to stabilize his injuries and faces a long road to recovery.
Channel 2’s Ashlyn Webb was in Navarre Beach, where roofs were completely torn off of buildings as communities dealt with the aftermath of Hurricane Isaias.
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A GoFundMe fundraiser has been launched to help Bell and his family with unexpected medical bills, travel expenses and other costs during his hospitalization and recovery.
Loved ones say Bell is a hardworking person who is always willing to help others and is now asking the community to come together to support him.
“He’s a man who loves the Lord, has a heart of gold, and would give you the shirt off his back without hesitation. He’s always willing to lend a helping hand to someone in need and never expects anything in return,” loved ones said.
Bell’s family and friends are asking for prayers as he continues his recovery.
If you would like to donate, click here.
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