Gordon King is a famed arborist, one of international renown I am told. A retired Umass professor. A local man, a neighbor of sorts, who owns the tree farm in Leverett where we have cut our wonderful trees for the past several years. A few years back his wife had died. It was a sad Christmas season for him. Then, perhaps it was the following year, he told us of a wonderful woman friend from his younger days, as I recall, that he had reconnected with. He was happy again; they were to be wed. They would spend some time at his place in Leverett and some at her place in Amherst.
Today, Mr. King and his wife, Barbara Hamilton (ages 87 and 82 respectively) are in intensive care in the burn unit at Mass General. Yesterday, their condominium in Amherst (just up the street from my office) exploded. The place was instantly and completley destroyed. They were apparently blown outside by the force of the blast but sustained extensive severe burns. Both were transported to Mass General in Boston. Barbara was flown by a Life Flight helicopter from the high school parking lot near our home. I was up in Shutesbury at the time, for a showing, but Baird and Aaron and our friend Julian witnessed the air evacuation. Today Baird and I went by the scene. Incredible. Four townhouse condo units were destroyed by fire within minutes. Eight others are damaged. The cause of the explosion appears to be gas related, but specifics are not yet known.
I plan to send Mr. King a copy of this photo taken at his tree farm December 2005. I don't know when he will be alert enough to see it but his family is likely there with him and maybe it will be meaningful to them. It is only a small gesture but it is something I can do, at a time when there is little anyone can do. Please pray for Mr. King and his wife, Barbara.
