Thursday, November 29, 2001

The Natchez Democrat

NATCHEZ – An employee at International Paper’s Natchez mill

was still being treated at the Greenville Burn Center Thursday

after he was burned with hot water last week at the plant.

Chris Newman received first, second and third degree burns

after falling into hot water at the plant on Nov. 21, said Alison

Abernathy, company spokesperson.

After the accident, the mill’s emergency response team transported

Newman to Natchez Community Hospital.

He was then transported to the burn center at the recommendation

of his emergency room physician, Abernathy said.

They estimate that he will be released from the burn center

in one week.

&uot;We wish Chris (Newman) a speedy recovery and look forward

to his return to the mill soon,&uot; Abernathy said.

Julius Cotton, Newman’s stepfather, said Newman burned about

28 percent of his body with injuries on the lower half of his

body and mostly on his legs and feet.

&uot;But he’s doing good,&uot; Cotton said. &uot;He’s in

good spirits.&uot;

He also has undergone skin grafts, Cotton said.

&uot;He’s going to be OK,&uot; Cotton said. &uot;It’s just

going to be a long recovery.&uot;

Since the accident, the company has blocked off the area where

Newman was injured and taken steps to prevent similar accidents,

Abernathy said.