A week ago this past Saturday, Ferny Coipel, frontman of long-running local band Humbert, was in a serious accident while riding his scooter in Hialeah. Coipel was wearing no helmet when he collided head-on with a car, according to a close friend. As a result, he suffered head and neck trauma, as well as major damage to the arteries in his neck. Doctors at the Ryder Trauma Center, where Coipel is currently in ICU, will attempt this week to stabilize his arterial blood flow before they can repair his face and jaw, which is wired shut.
Thankfully, Coipel is recovering well so far, according to frequent updates on a Facebook group created to track his progress.
Besides fronting Humbert, Coipel has been a tireless promoter of the
local scene. For years, he's organized the annual multi-day Hialeah
Fest, and with Humbert bandmate Rimsky also runs the Shack North Music
Studios there. In fact, la Ciudad que Progresa even recognized Coipel's boosterism in late 2007, officially naming October 23 Ferny Coipel Day in the city.
Crossfade, New Times, and I personally would like to wish Ferny a speedy and full recovery.
Friends are in the process of setting up a Washington Mutual account for donations, and benefit concerts at Churchill's and Tobacco Road. Stay tuned to Crossfade for more information, and for updates on Ferny's recovery.
