Friday
Falling tree hurts couple (Bill / Kyle) Martel
Caught in the Catchfence™Bill Martel and Kelly Davis were asleep in their South Lebanon Twp. home early Thursday morning when an oak tree crashed through their ceiling.
The thick section of tree pinned Martel to the floor, breaking his ribs and vertebrae, and breaking Davis’ collarbone.
Martel, 50, of Mine Road, was in critical condition Thursday in Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, and Davis was released after treatment at Good Samaritan Hospital, hospital representatives said.
Bill Martel is owner of Bill Martel Racing, which sponsors his son, ARCA driver Kyle Martel. ARCA is a nationwide racing circuit sometimes considered to be a stepping-stone to NASCAR.
Kyle Martel, who was at the house at the time, freed Davis and tried to get his father out from under the tree by breaking off branches until the fire company and medics arrived, Craig Martel said.
“It’s pretty strange, a big tree coming through the center of the house,” Craig Martel said. “He has broken ribs and some fractured vertebrae, but he’ll be up and about. … He’s doing pretty good.”
Craig Martel said Kyle has a test race scheduled in Daytona Dec. 17, 18 and 19, and while Bill Martel might not make it, a crew is working on the car and Kyle still hopes to get there.
The family will stay with Davis’ parents until the house can be repaired, he said.
Article Tags: ARCA, ARCA RE/MAX Series, Bill Martel, Bill Martel Racing, Craig Martel, Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway, Kelly Davis, Kyle Martel, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, NASCAR
