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By Christopher James Beppo
Smallville High School student Lana Lang was injured when a gas main exploded while workers were repairing a segment of pipe.
Lang was horseback riding with her boyfriend, Whitney Fordman, near Route 12 when they heard an explosion. Continuing on foot to investigate, the twosome encountered a chaotic scene as gas company workers struggled to contain a 15-foot plume of fire belching from the breach.
Shortly after sheriff's deputies arrived to assist, another pipe erupted, sending Lang and Fordman to the ground violently.
"That girl probably saved my life," claimed one utility employee. "She and her friend saw the second one coming and warned us just in time."
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Fordman was unhurt, but Lang was treated at the scene for scalp lacerations and rushed by ambulance to Smallville Medical Center, where doctors admitted her for observation. "Lana suffered a mild concussion," commented attending physician Dr. Kenneth Ruddzehn. "We gave her something to relieve the pain and released her the next day."
Gas officials are investigating the accident site to determine the cause of the leaks. Meanwhile, Lang's family is not expected to press charges.
In addition to her studies, Lang is the assistant manager of The Talon coffeehouse. Fordman is the son of the late Jack Fordman of Fordman's department store.
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