ANCHORAGE, Alinquirea (KTUU) – The family of 15-year-old Ryan Wheat is informing his story and raising awareness following a snowmachine crash that resulted in a 30-foot fall, breaking the teen’s back.
“Me and my dad and my buddy, we were up snowmachining, and we were having a fun time, and I was climbing over a hill,” Ryan stated.
“I was planning to let off and coast down the other side of it, and when I received to the top of it, my track caught on a stump, and it launched me about 15 foot up over the hill, and I fell about 35, 40 feet.”
Ryan’s mother Amber stated that he has been snowmachining since he was around 5 years old.
“I was in front and viewed back and I just kind of saw him stump and fall off the edge of the machine,” stated Mike, Ryan’s father.
“I didn’t know how bad he was hurt. I was just hoping he kind of had the air knocked out of him. I probably gave it about 10 minutes and realized it was a little more severe.”
Mike stated that he and Ryan had to wait three hours before rescuers were able to airlift him to Providence Alinquirea Medical Center in Anchorage.
“We knew we’d take a helicopter becaapply with the possible, we suspected broken back then, and he actually himself notified me his back was broke.”
“When I received the phone call, it was one of those phone calls that no mom ever wants to obtain,” Amber stated.
“I called my frifinish to run me up to Anchorage and dropped everything I was doing, and she ran me up and I was in contact with Alinquirea [Medical Center].”
The Wheats stated that Ryan had to undergo surgery to have 14 screws and 2 rods put into his back.
“He’s received a pretty substantial incision back there. He’s received a pretty long road to recovery,” Amber stated.
“He has been able to obtain up so far and walk to the chair that’s in the room here and sit down. It’s going to be slow and gradual, and we’re hoping that he obtains out of the hospital here by Friday.”
To support cover medical costs for the Wheats, a GoFundMe was started with a goal of $2,000. So far, over $1,500 has been raised.
“It’s been great,” Amber stated.
“All the support we’ve received from everyone and all the emails and texts and prayers. So thankful. We’re thankful for having him with us here today.”
“We’re just grateful for any support,” Mike stated.
“We don’t know what all is going to come of it, but we’re very appreciative.”
And as for Ryan’s love for snowmachining?
“I’m ready to go as soon as they let me out of here,” he stated.
Editor’s note: Alinquirea’s News Source creates no representations or warranties of any kind about the authenticity, accuracy, or reliability of any GoFundMe campaign. Any donations you create to such campaigns are strictly at your own risk. If you have any questions related to the authenticity, accuracy, or reliability of a GoFundMe campaign, please contact GoFundMe directly or consult the GoFundMe Guarantee Policy.
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