Bazan remains positive after work accident claims lower leg

Ramiro Bazan is expected to return home next week after a work accident claimed his lower right leg on June 7. 

Sarah Bazan of Ogallala, said her dad, 63, of Grant, has worked for cooperatives nearly all his life, so he was no stranger to uncoupling train cars. 

“He’s probably done it a million times. It’s one of those things that just happens,” she said. 

While uncoupling a train car in Elsie, Bazan tripped and fell, and the railcar ran over his right foot.  

“Luckily, he fell away from the train car rather than toward it, because this could have been so much worse. We’re just very thankful,” Sarah said. 

Ramiro was first flown to Great Plains Health in North Platte, and then onto the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, where the decision was made to amputate mid-shin. 

Just one day after surgery, Ramiro was up and moving, and five days after the accident was moved to Madonna Rehabilitation in Lincoln. 

Sarah said everyone at the rehab center has said they’re amazed at how he has been able to adapt. 

She said there haven’t been any setbacks in the journey thus far. 

“He’s just been moving forward. We are amazed and proud of him.”

Already walking with crutches or a walker, he’s working hard at learning his new way of life. 

Having double knee replacement surgery a few years ago and several surgeries throughout the years, Sarah said he works hard because that’s what he knows. 

Ramiro has kept a positive attitude through the entire process and remained upbeat, even cracking jokes in the emergency room. 

He’s expected to be released from Madonna this Friday, June 28. He will then stay with his son Daniel in Lincoln for a few days before returning home to Grant. 

While Daniel has been taking care of things in Lincoln, Sarah has been preparing for Ramiro’s homecoming.

With the help of her boyfriend Duke Huffman, uncle David Barry, cousin Dylan Barry and other family and friends, they have been remodeling Ramiro’s home to accommodate his needs. 

Sarah said they have been so grateful for everyone’s kind words and help since the accident. 

As for Ramiro’s future, he said he is ready for more fishing and time with his grandkids.