Kris and Clare's Journey to Recovery

August 20:

Clare and her husband Kris had a bad ATV accident around 6:00 pm in Paiute County. They are both in very serious condition. Please keep them in your prayers.

August 21, 11:00 am:

Hey all. Last night was a long night, but Clare and Kris seem to be holding on. The crash happened due to brake failure on the ATV. They were headed from Marysville toward Kanosh.

There were miracles all along the way. First of all they were with a very capable couple. There is no cell phone coverage in the area and dispatch was surprised that they could call in the emergency.  They received cell service right at the right time and help was able to locate them and have someone on scene in about 30 minutes. They fell about 30-40 feet, and an impact from a tree kept them from the next fall which was 600 feet. 

The Paiute County rescue were able to drive their truck near to them and load them onto backboards and drive them out.  Life Flight met the emergency vehicle in route and brought Kris to Utah Valley Medical Center.  Clare was taken to Richfield hospital and after they intubated her (air tube) they flew her to Utah Valley.  We were at the hospital when the helicopter landed with Clare.

Clare has brain injuries, a broken pelvis and a broken wrist. She has been unconscious since the accident. Kris has chest injuries involving bruising of his lungs and heart and a broken shoulder blade (scapula).  He has been in and out of consciousness. Both are still in VERY Serious condition.

We are feeling the prayers of you all! Keep it up!

August 21, 2:29 pm-Clare is in surgery now

This is the latest update. They decided to operate on Clare's wrist today. It is her right wrist, and it is broken across both bones. She must have taken a pretty hard hit, since there are shattered pieces. They moved up the operation because when they unwrapped the wrist to change the bandage from the initial bandaging, there was a small puncture wound. The doctors are concerned about infection with any type of wound caused from a bone...so thus the surgery. It could take 30 minutes to multiple hours. It will be nice to get one of many procedures out of the way.

Kris' injuries are more than I initially knew. Along with all the bruising he has 7 broken ribs and a broken scapula. That explains the punctured lungs. They put chest tubes to the lung cavities to help the lungs inflate.  He has been medicated to bring his heart rate down and his pressure up. I have never seen so many tubes out of one person... and I hope to never see it again.

I love these kids so much. It will be a tough road for them for a while. If anyone can pull out of this...I know these two can.

Love you all...I appreciate all the thoughts and prayers your sending our way.

August 21, 6:00 pm

Clare came out of surgery.  Have not heard from the doctor because he is in another surgery.  It was a big night for emergencies last night.  More than our kids coming in on Life Flight...

When Clare came out of surgery, her heart rate was down.  It had been 160 - 190.  Now it is about 130.  The nurse thought that maybe the wrist was causing her more pain than we thought.  Clare is a fighter.  I am counting on her stubborn personality to take over.

Kris will have to have a surgery...probably on Tuesday that will fix his broken scapula.  He needs to have that repaired.  His broken ribs are on the back rather than the front.  Kris is sedated.  Anytime that he starts to regain consciousness, he starts moving around a ton.  We want him to stay still for a while longer.

Please...everyone...wear your helmet!! Protective gear would be good too!  I never want to have anyone else go through what we are experiencing.

I am still praying for more miracles.