Skier Sarah Burke Remains in Critical Condition After Surgery
Following a surgical procedure yesterday, Canadian freestyle skier Sarah Burke remains in critical condition a day after she was injured in a training accident.
Sarah Burke’s accident occurred after she fell while training at a personal sponsor event at the Park City Mountain resort. Onlookers of the accident stated that the fall didn't look as bad as it turned out to be.
What makes this accident more tragic is the location where it took place. Burke fell on the same half-pipe where snowboarder Kevin Pearce suffered a traumatic brain injury after a near-fatal fall on Dec. 31, 2009.
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Burke’s ensuing operation took place at Salt Lake City's University Hospital. Her status wasn’t immediately reported and Burke's prognosis remains unknown.
In a statement released by Burke's publicist, a doctor at University of Utah hospital gave a statement on Burke’s condition. The doctor said that she "sustained serious injuries and remains intubated and sedated in critical condition."
Robert Foxford, doctor for the Canadian freestyle team, also noted that she had been placed in an induced coma. "That would be the standard procedure for someone with a significant brain injury," Foxford stated.
Burke's publicist also released a statement from Burke's husband Rory Bushfield and her family.
"Her family are by her bedside and wish to express their sincere thanks to everyone, all over the world, for their heartfelt thoughts, prayers, and well wishes," the statement said, according to The Toronto Star. "Sarah is a very strong young woman and she will most certainly fight to recover."
Well wishers and fans of the popular skier have taken to the Internet to wish Sarah Burke well through her ordeal.
MSN.com’s Fox Sports website user skier69 wrote, “Wishing Sarah, Rory and their families the very best to a speedy recovery. The skiing community is thinking about you and sending you positive thoughts. You have been in my thoughts since I've heard the accident. Hang in there Sarah!”
The CDN Olympic Team tweeted, “Best wishes to Sarah Burke for a speedy recovery. Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this time.”
The prayers and warm hearted wishes for Sarah Burke’s health are needed at this time of need.
