- Location
- North East Pa.
Blair Morgan Seriously Injured in Montreal
September 22, 2008, 2:06 PM
Michael Roth/Shazamm/ESPNImages
Blair Morgan and Tucker Hibbert, foreground, during the January '08 Winter X Games.
SnoCross superstar Blair Morgan suffered serious spinal cord injuries in a dirtbike crash during practice Saturday at the annual fall Montreal Supercross, according to sources familiar with the situation.
Morgan fractured his T-4 and T-5 vertebrae, causing "major spinal cord damage," said Joe Duncan, of 357 Inc. Morgan underwent surgery yesterday in Montreal and he remains hospitilized there. "He's experiencing paralysis now, but we're all hoping for the best," Duncan added, saying, "The whole snowmobile industry and family is pulling for Blair and his family at this time."
Brett Turcotte, a seven-year teammate of Morgan's on the Blair Morgan Racing Team, heard news of Morgan's accident yesterday in Colorado. "I guess he crashed on a small little double—he got rutted and then high-sided or low-sided, I'm not really sure yet. But from the people I talked to, it was the kind of thing that he should've walked away from. But obviously that wasn't the case," Turcotte told EXPN.com.
"It's tough," Turcotte continued. "I grew up watching him ride and trying to mimic what he does. And doing just that has worked out well for me. So it's a real bummer to see a guy like that—with so much talent and energy, and someone very close to me personally, as well—getting hurt. My thoughts are with him and his recovery now."
Nicknamed "Superman" and regarded as the most prolific and influential rider in SnoCross history, Morgan, 32, is a native of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Canada. He competed in 11 straight X Games SnoCross events, from 1998 to 2008, collecting five gold medals along the way. From the '97/98 season through '06/07, he won 84 of 200 SnoCross National finals and 12 of 22 points titles. Morgan is also a multiple Canadian Motocross Champion, and he's married with two young children.
"Motocross, that's where his roots are," Turcotte added. "He started racing motocross and got into SnoCross through that. And he was having a great summer, ripping all summer—he's second overall in the Canadian Nationals."
Over the years, Morgan has also worked to help the Canadian & American Spinal Research Organization and Shoot For A Cure Spinal Cure Research campaign.
Update, 6:38 p.m. EST: Citing Morgan's mom, June, Morgan's hometown newspaper, the Prince Albert Daily Herald, is reporting that Morgan's spinal injury is severe: "Early reports say that Morgan ... has severed his spine. He has no feeling in his legs. He suffered chest trauma and is unable to breath well. Morgan also has head injuries, but not extensive."
One of Morgan's sisters, Rachel DuGray, told CBC News that, based on preliminary reports from doctors, her brother may be facing permanent paralysis. "It's horrible," she told CBC today. "You don't even know what to think, you know? It doesn't seem to be reality yet." DuGray said members of her family have begun making their way to Montreal to be with Blair.
................................................................................................
Update from RacerX:
"As most of you know Blair has suffered a substantial injury due to a crash while practicing for Montreal Supercross at the Olympic Stadium in Montreal.
During Saturday afternoon practice in Montreal, Blair sustained substantial injuries to his middle back. A surgery was performed and went well, however it was soon discovered that as a result of the vertebrae separating from each other on impact, Blair’s spinal cord was severed, leaving him with paralysis from his middle back down. He was taken off the ventilator soon after surgery and has been progressing well since. This afternoon (September 22, 2008) he was moved out of ICU to the orthopaedic floor and arrangements are now being made for his transfer closer to home. He is resting now and he is focused on recovering and working closely with the physiotherapists. I know as most of you do as well, Blair is a fighter and this incidence will not keep him down for long.
Special thanks to everyone for their well wishes, just so you know there are so many people rooting for Blair and we really appreciate it so much.
Please feel free to e-mail your questions and well wishes to Blair at:
blairmorganrecovery@gmail.com"
__________________
September 22, 2008, 2:06 PM
Michael Roth/Shazamm/ESPNImages
Blair Morgan and Tucker Hibbert, foreground, during the January '08 Winter X Games.
SnoCross superstar Blair Morgan suffered serious spinal cord injuries in a dirtbike crash during practice Saturday at the annual fall Montreal Supercross, according to sources familiar with the situation.
Morgan fractured his T-4 and T-5 vertebrae, causing "major spinal cord damage," said Joe Duncan, of 357 Inc. Morgan underwent surgery yesterday in Montreal and he remains hospitilized there. "He's experiencing paralysis now, but we're all hoping for the best," Duncan added, saying, "The whole snowmobile industry and family is pulling for Blair and his family at this time."
Brett Turcotte, a seven-year teammate of Morgan's on the Blair Morgan Racing Team, heard news of Morgan's accident yesterday in Colorado. "I guess he crashed on a small little double—he got rutted and then high-sided or low-sided, I'm not really sure yet. But from the people I talked to, it was the kind of thing that he should've walked away from. But obviously that wasn't the case," Turcotte told EXPN.com.
"It's tough," Turcotte continued. "I grew up watching him ride and trying to mimic what he does. And doing just that has worked out well for me. So it's a real bummer to see a guy like that—with so much talent and energy, and someone very close to me personally, as well—getting hurt. My thoughts are with him and his recovery now."
Nicknamed "Superman" and regarded as the most prolific and influential rider in SnoCross history, Morgan, 32, is a native of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Canada. He competed in 11 straight X Games SnoCross events, from 1998 to 2008, collecting five gold medals along the way. From the '97/98 season through '06/07, he won 84 of 200 SnoCross National finals and 12 of 22 points titles. Morgan is also a multiple Canadian Motocross Champion, and he's married with two young children.
"Motocross, that's where his roots are," Turcotte added. "He started racing motocross and got into SnoCross through that. And he was having a great summer, ripping all summer—he's second overall in the Canadian Nationals."
Over the years, Morgan has also worked to help the Canadian & American Spinal Research Organization and Shoot For A Cure Spinal Cure Research campaign.
Update, 6:38 p.m. EST: Citing Morgan's mom, June, Morgan's hometown newspaper, the Prince Albert Daily Herald, is reporting that Morgan's spinal injury is severe: "Early reports say that Morgan ... has severed his spine. He has no feeling in his legs. He suffered chest trauma and is unable to breath well. Morgan also has head injuries, but not extensive."
One of Morgan's sisters, Rachel DuGray, told CBC News that, based on preliminary reports from doctors, her brother may be facing permanent paralysis. "It's horrible," she told CBC today. "You don't even know what to think, you know? It doesn't seem to be reality yet." DuGray said members of her family have begun making their way to Montreal to be with Blair.
................................................................................................
Update from RacerX:
"As most of you know Blair has suffered a substantial injury due to a crash while practicing for Montreal Supercross at the Olympic Stadium in Montreal.
During Saturday afternoon practice in Montreal, Blair sustained substantial injuries to his middle back. A surgery was performed and went well, however it was soon discovered that as a result of the vertebrae separating from each other on impact, Blair’s spinal cord was severed, leaving him with paralysis from his middle back down. He was taken off the ventilator soon after surgery and has been progressing well since. This afternoon (September 22, 2008) he was moved out of ICU to the orthopaedic floor and arrangements are now being made for his transfer closer to home. He is resting now and he is focused on recovering and working closely with the physiotherapists. I know as most of you do as well, Blair is a fighter and this incidence will not keep him down for long.
Special thanks to everyone for their well wishes, just so you know there are so many people rooting for Blair and we really appreciate it so much.
Please feel free to e-mail your questions and well wishes to Blair at:
blairmorganrecovery@gmail.com"
__________________
