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SALT LAKE CITY — On Tuesday evening, Sue Turley and Raquel Sever received a phone call they never expected. They learned their sister's husband, Joshua Schade, had been in a terrible accident on the job.
"We really don't know exactly what happened at this point," said Sever.
Although the investigation is ongoing, they do know some of the details. They said their brother-in-law was transporting sulfuric acid for Basin Western Trucking Company to Delta on Tuesday. When he went to unload it, something went horribly wrong.
"It poured all the way down his body from his head all the way down," said Turley.
They said first responders took him to the local hospital for decontamination, then he was flown to the University of Utah burn center.
Schade has already undergone one skin graft surgery with more planned.
"They keep reminding (my sister) he's in very critical condition and they don't want to give her the impression that he's definitely going to make it home," Turley said.
My sister has said so many times she doesn't care what he looks like. She doesn't want him in pain, and she just wants to have her husband.
–Sue Turley, sister-in-law of the victim
Turley said Schade began the job only a few weeks ago and was excited because the schedule allowed him to spend more time with his family. Now they're hoping the 29-year-old father will get that time.
"We're just trying to be hopeful and have faith that he'll make it," said Sever.
"My sister has said so many times she doesn't care what he looks like," said Turley. "She doesn't want him in pain, and she just wants to have her husband."
KSL reached out to Western Basin Trucking Company Friday.
"Everyone is hoping and praying for Josh and his family at this time," said Lloyd Dean, a spokesperson with the company.
Dean said they're conducting their own investigation into what happened.
The family has set-up a gofundme account* and an account at America First Credit Union under the name "Joshua Schade" to help with some of the immediate expenses they're facing.
*KSL.com has not verified the accuracy of the information provided with respect to the account nor does KSL.com assure that the monies deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account you should consult your own advisors and otherwise proceed at your own risk.
