Famous North Country Sculptor Injured in Freak Accident
/
By Anthony Batson
Frank Cavoli, an icon of the chain saw carved art scene, was severely injured in an accident at his Schroon Lake workshop.
Frank suffered severe lacerations to his face, nose and eyelid after the chain from a saw he was using came off as he was carving one of his signature bears. The accident happened late Monday afternoon at his Sculptures By Frank studio on Route 9, near I-87 exit 27 South.
After his daughter in law Tyler raised the alarm, staff from the Paradox Brewery next door swung into action to help stabilize Frank.
Paradox Brewery founder Paul Mrocka, a former Army pilot, used his experience from both his military service and ski patrol training to help stabilize Frank.
“We did not want him to go into shock. All he talked about was his family and how he was going to support his family. He needed to focus on himself,” Paul told Schroon Laker today.
Meanwhile, Head Brewer Devon Hamilton and assistant brewer J.D DeWaard arrived with first aid kits. “Most of the bleeding had stopped. We just had him sit down, put his head back and put pressure on his cuts.”
Paul’s wife Joan kept Frank calm and in place.
“Joan was comforting little Frank and big Frank. She is very good at putting people in a good comfort zone”.
Minutes later Frank was transported by ambulance to Glens Falls Hospital where doctors performed emergency plastic surgery to try and save his nose, cheek and part of his eyelid.
Although the first surgery went very well it is still unclear whether he will need future surgeries and skin graphing.
He was wearing his safety gear. Doctors say had he not been wearing his goggles he would have lost an eye. He was released from the hospital later that night and is recovering at home.
So what can you do to help?
A fund raising campaign has been started by his friends and family to help cover medicals costs including the possibity of more surgeries. There’ also living expenses while Frank recuperates. You can go to the official "Go Fund Me Page", by clicking here.
More from Paul: “Frank is a hard worker in the Adirondacks. He has helped Paradox Brewery many times. Just look around the brewery and you will see his carvings. Just recently he offered to help with the construction of our expanded tasting room. He is a generous man that has fell on hard times. Let's help out!”
