He was spinning the back wheel pretty fast, listening to it rub once on each revolution. Then for some reason, he sort of stuck his right index finger into the rotor. We're not quite sure if this was accidental or a somehow seemed a logical thing to do at the time. But nevertheless, it was a bad idea.
"I cut my finger off!!!!"
Well, it wasn't quite that bad, we didn't think. But then got a look, and most of it was cut off, right through the fingernail, like a light saber had swiped it. Having first aid training, I had bandages with me, so we got it rinsed and bandaged, had him sit until his head cleared, and then started the walk out of there. Couldn't seem to raise anyone from Maybury on the phone, and the other rider couldn't find anyone in the booth, so we just drove to the local Providence hospital after walking the mile or so out. We could have done 911, but that seemed like overkill at the time.
Turns out not only is the flesh cut through 70%, but the bone was also cut in half, and splintered, which probably slowed things enough for him to pull back before the rest of it was cut off.
Lessons to be learned:
Carry bandages, not just band aids.
Know how to reach park personnel.
Know where the nearest hospital is.
Don't stick your finger into fast moving sharp objects.
