Local weatherman found clinging to driftwood closely resembling Willard Scott. Injures face, head upon returning home.

The local media and viewing audience breathed a huge sigh of relief today, after Channel 2 weatherman, Chesley McNeil was found floating in Lake Erie, about 100 yards from the shore near the town of Angola. Hopes for the rescue of McNeil had disappeared, after searches turned up no evidence that his ice fishing vessel, “The Dopp-Lure 2000” stayed afloat. McNeil was in fair condition, suffering from hypothermia and dehydration. That condition was downgraded to serious, after a weather instrument mishap in his home weather studio sent a flaming barometer crashing into his face.McNeil was cleared to return home by doctors at ECMC and immediately went to work in his home weather station, when an experiment went awry and a gas powered barometer exploded. Fire officials responding to the blast have confirmed that it was the modified barometer that struck McNeil, injuring his head and bashing his face.

“Mr. McNeil was working on weather equipment and some gas vapors collected in the garage,” Fire Chief John McGowan said at the scene. “There must have been a spark, and unfortunately for Mr. McNeil, it sent the barometer flying.”

“Chesley was always thinking outside of the box,” commented fellow weatherman Andy Parker. “The barometer needs no power; it works on air pressure, but leave it to Chesley to improve on what we have when it comes to predicting the weather.”

Local viewers reacted to the news of McNeil’s rescue and subsequent massive injury with profound relief and stunned dread. Waitress Denise Drewsdowski from Riverside said, “It’s sad. It’s good that he’s not dead. But it’s sad about his face.”

Mark Constantino of Kenmore summed up the feelings of many a Western New Yorker when he said, “That’s too bad. You don’t like to see that happen to anybody”.

McNeil is said to be recuperating from his injuries in ECMC and will remain there for several days. The extent of his injuries is not known, nor is the condition of his trademark smile and charming face. Atlanta station WXIA, who recently hired McNeil is supportive of his recovery and will welcome him in whatever time period is necessary for a full recovery.

WXIA news director Ellen Crooke said, “You’d need a flaming steamroller to erase Chesley’s wonderful smile. From what I understand it was merely a barometer and we’re confident that Chesley will be in Atlanta soon, looking very much like the man we hired.”