Pete Torgut

Pete was a friend and business partner of Bill Farren. He had joined Bill and his wife Laura to set up their own ‘wildcat drill’ in the outbacks of Wyoming where, despite limited resources and basic equipment, they had struck a gas pocket, and were confident their dream of making it rich was within reach until sparks from a shattered light bulb ignited the escaping gas, and the well exploded into a raging fire.

In the initial explosion Pete was knocked down with heavy pipes falling across his legs. MacGyver and Bill were able to pull him free and to safety but the impact resulting in a “simple fracture” of his right leg. MacGyver was able to straighten and set the leg  while using Curie’s Law as a distraction before giving it a “pretty good yank” to reset it.

Relying on a homemade splint and crutch, Pete was able to assist Laura in managing the hose to keep Bill and MacGyver wet as they used a makeshift vehicle and insulator to approach the fire and drop an explosive charge down the well to blow out the fire. The plan worked and the fire was extinguishe. Afterward, Pete remained with Bill and Laura to rebuild the well and continue their dream of making it rich.