HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) -
It doesn't feel natural for John Weibley to be sitting around. He is used to long hours and working with his hands.
That's exactly what he was doing inside of RL Livingston Excavating in Dillsburg on January 31.
"The last thing I remember is turning the welder off," Weibley said. "What happened after that is a complete blank until I woke up in an ambulance."
Weibley doesn't recall the initial explosion or the fire that engulfed his workplace. He doesn't remember the wall collapsing over his head.
"I took a pretty big hit to the head, had blood on the brain, a couple cracked ribs, my hand broke, I bruised a lung," he said.
Weibley described his injuries, arm in a cast, nestled into a chair inside his Harrisburg home. But he will be the first to tell you his story isn't about his recovery. It's not about luck. It's not even really about him.
"He found me, got me, drug me out, then proceeded to protect me with his body as there were further explosions taking place," Weibley said.
Weibley is talking about a co-worker named Andy, a man he described as skilled, private, and someone he hardly knew. They were the only employees working in the building.
"The natural instinct for a person would be to run. He didn't do that," said Weibley, "He got himself gathered up, put me down through that chaos and protected me until crews arrived."
Weibley spent four days in the hospital. Andy visited, he said, but not much has been exchanged since. Like any hero story, Andy has shunned any recognition. But his wounded co-worker wants him to know something simple.
"Thank you," whispered Weibley. "That's all I can say to the man. He definitely saved my life."
Officials are still investigating what caused the explosion.
