FLW Outdoors offers updates on injured FLW cameraman
Gulley injured during boating mishap on Kentucky Lake, Fukae issues statement
Editor’s note: This article was updated June 22 with a written statement from FLW Tour pro Shinichi Fukae, who was driving the boat, posted at the end of the article.
FLW Outdoors officials have spoken to the family of the person injured in Sunday’s one-boat accident during the FLW Tour event on Kentucky Lake. Mary Ann Gulley has confirmed that her son, Robert Gulley, was a cameraman injured on a boat driven by competitor Shinichi Fukae when the boat struck the Highway 79 Bridge near Paris, Tenn., June 19.
Robert Gulley told FLW Outdoors officials Tuesday morning that he is “still sore, but his goal is to get better in time to fish on Pickwick at the next Tour event.”
At about 11:30 a.m. Central time Monday, Mrs. Gulley referred questions from FLW Outdoors officials to South Carolina angler Michael Murphy, a close family friend and Robert’s practice partner on the FLW Tour.
“Robert was involved in an accident and was riding in the passenger side of the boat when they struck the bridge,” Murphy said. “Robert was not ejected from the boat, but he did hit the console and received internal injuries from the impact. He was airlifted to Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville where he spent the night in the intensive care unit and remains there now. He is showing signs of improvement. He is eating and drinking, and the doctors feel he is in the clear, but they are going to continue to monitor him. If everything progresses like it is, they will remove him from the ICU and into a regular room.”
“Shin (Fukae) is coming to visit Robert this afternoon,” Murphy added. “We are all good friends, like family.”
Shinichi Fukae issued the following written statement Wednesday, June 22:
“I, Shinichi Fukae, was involved in a one-boat accident during the final day’s competition of the FLW Tour event at Kentucky Lake on June 19, 2011. I received some minor injuries from it and was released from the hospital that evening. My cameraman, Robert Gulley, was taken to another hospital for further observation. Since both Robert and l were worried about each other, I went to see him the next day. We were pleased to see each other again. The good news is that he was moved from ICU to Rehab that night. Yesterday, I went back to see him again and talked to him for hours. He is stable and doing much better.
I would like to express my appreciation to FLW and everyone else who helped with the care for me as well as for Robert. I am also grateful for all the thoughts and prayers. I am getting better, so please keep sending your thoughts and prayers for Robert’s family and for his speedy recovery.”