Boy, 11, healing after ski accident
Somers youth receiving treatment in Salt Lake City for grievous injuries
An 11-year-old Somers boy is being treated for extensive injuries he suffered in a skiing accident two weeks ago.
Forrest Morgan-McGrath is at Primary Children's Medical Center in Salt Lake City.
On March 17, he was with other students from Somers Middle School on a school outing at Blacktail Mountain Ski Area when he hit a tree after going down a steep section of Independence Park run. He was not wearing a helmet.
He sustained severe injuries: broken facial bones, skull fractures, bruising on his brain, a crushed nasal and sinus cavity, a collapsed lung, bruising on his kidneys and adrenal glands, a fractured pelvis, separated right knee and a fractured leg.
However, no ribs were broken and his heart was not injured.
Doctors initially installed a shunt to help release swelling on his brain.
On March 23, he went through a nine-hour surgery that largely involved facial reconstruction.
His mother, Michelle Morgan, was able to fly with Forrest to Salt Lake City, and his twin sister, Kari, also is there. He has three other siblings: Holli Stephens of Columbia Falls, Tyler Lyght of Glenburn, N.D., and Cody Stephens of Libby.
The family is receiving e-mail sent to pcmcemail.com. The hospital has asked that people not call for information as it takes the nurses away from his care. Updates on his condition can be found on a Web page: a-jmorgan.com
The family has no medical insurance.
Anyone wishing to contribute to his medical expenses may do so at any Whitefish Credit Union, where an account has been set up in his name, or send donations directly to Bishop Ron Cattron, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1812 S. Woodland Drive, in Kalispell.
Forrest enjoys skiing, snowboarding, Rollerblading, bicycling, skateboarding and all sports, especially football and basketball. He is an excellent student and had never missed a day of school. He's been involved in Boy Scouts for several years. He also enjoys hiking, camping, fishing and art.
His mother and family expressed their gratitude for all the positive thoughts and prayers that have helped in Forrest's recovery.