“It touches my heart so deeply,” began Shirley Werner, as she talked about her husband’s accident and the outpouring of love from the community that followed.

Brian Werner had both of his legs broken in a logging accident on July 25 after a tree fell on them. Shirley described the accident and said he was cutting the tops and stumps off trees - something he has done for years - when the freak accident occurred. “If it hadn’t been for Gary Metz, I don’t know what might have happened,” noted Shirley, who said Metz was with him that day and was operating the bulldozer.

What followed has been a nightmare for the family of six, the Werners have four daughters. Brian was transferred via helicopter to the Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis where he had to undergo surgeries to repair the broken bones in his legs. He is now recuperating at St. Andrews Health Campus in Batesville. “Having him close to home makes it so much easier,” noted Shirley, who said the drive to Indianapolis was long.

The family has a hog farm and Werner is employed with Aggregate Trucking & Excavating, a division of New Point Stone. While the doctors say he’ll eventually have full recovery, Shirley noted it will be with much rehabilitation and determination. “He has that determination,” she tearfully told The Versailles Republican. “He’s really doing well considering everything he’s been through,” she noted.

A benefit has been put together by one of Werner’s co-workers, Eric Grossman. Being a biker, he decided a benefit bike run would be a good way to raise some money for his friend. The event is set to take place Saturday, September 23. Registration will begin at 10:00 a.m. at Kopp’s Cycles at Batesville. The ride will leave at 10:30 a.m. It will be a 74 mile ride that will swing through Laurel (lunch at the Laurel Hotel), then continue to Connersville, Brookville and back to Batesville. The scenic route will prove to be a biker’s delight and at the same time for a good cause.

Bikers can give a suggested donation of $25.00 per bike the day of the ride. Also, for those who would like to ride, but have other obligations for the day, a fund has been set up at MainSource Bank - The Brian Werner Benefit Account. You can stop by any MainSource location and make a donation.

“We appreciate everything anyone does,” noted Shirley, who said it has been hard in every way, even financially, since the accident. “We are just thankful for everything, from the rescue workers at the initial accident scene, to the surgeon, to the people who have reached out to help us, we thank you all,” she concluded.