Barkus moved to Seattle for surgery
State Sen. Greg Barkus - who was injured last week in a severe boat crash on Flathead Lake that injured five people, including U.S. Rep. Denny Rehberg - has been flown to a Seattle hospital for surgery on a broken pelvis.
"At this time the focus is on a full and timely recovery for all involved," according to a statement released to the media Friday by Barkus' son, Ken Barkus.
A Rehberg staffer also injured in the crash, state director Dustin Frost, was still in serious condition Friday at Kalispell Regional Medical Center, according to his neurosurgeon, Robert Hollis.
"Dustin Frost has suffered a severe closed head injury and is requiring aggressive monitoring and treatment," Hollis said in a statement. "He is showing slow improvements in his status but still requires intensive nursing care. Further recovery is anticipated."
The three others injured in the crash - Rehberg; his deputy chief of staff, Kristen Smith; and Barkus' wife, Kathy - were released Monday from Kalispell Regional Medical Center.
Rehberg, R-Montana, fractured the bone around his eye and underwent surgery for a broken ankle.
Rehberg, who is unable to fly as a result of his injuries, will ride Amtrak back to Washington, D.C., prior to the end of Congress' August break. He is expected to arrive on Sept. 8 in time for votes.
"My doctor recommended that I not fly for a while, so Jan and I are going to take the Empire Builder back to Washington," Rehberg said in a statement. "I'll be back at my desk in D.C. on Tuesday morning."
Barkus was one of those most seriously injured in the crash. He lost a severe amount of blood and required several transfusions, according to Ken Barkus' statement. After more than five days of treatment in the Kalispell Regional Medical Center's intensive care unit, Barkus - who also suffered broken ribs and cuts on his head, arms, and legs in the crash - was flown to Harborview Medical Center early Thursday morning.
Investigators believe the boat, which Barkus was piloting, plowed into the steep shore along Wayfarers State Park in Bigfork about 10:20 p.m. on Aug. 27 in excess of 40 mph.
"The courage of the campers and camp host [at the park] is greatly appreciated as they saved the lives of all five passengers," Ken Barkus' statement said. "In addition, [Kalispell Regional Medical Center] should be highly commended for all they have done."
In a statement released Friday, Frost's family members also thanked the hospital and its staff.
"While we are encouraged that Dustin continues to make progress each and every day, we know that these are just the first small steps down a long road to a full recovery," the statement read. "We are eternally grateful for the tremendous outpouring of support for Dustin and our family that has come from friends, neighbors, relatives, colleagues and even kind strangers from all across Montana."
Flathead County Attorney Ed Corrigan has said investigators believe Barkus, who has yet to be interviewed by detectives, was drinking the night of the crash.
Barkus' attorney, Todd Glazier, has released no details about the incident and has refused to talk to the media.
"When medically able, Greg intends to assist the officials with investigating this terrible accident," according to Ken Barkus' statement.
The boat party was returning to Marina Cay, where Rehberg had been staying, after dinner at The Docks restaurant in Lakeside when the wreck occurred.
Prosecutors have subpoenaed lab reports and a blood sample taken from Barkus for medical reasons while he was being treated at the hospital following the crash so toxicologists at the state crime lab can test his blood-alcohol level.
Corrigan said this week he is awaiting additional evidence from the crash before his office decides whether to file charges against Barkus, a veteran GOP state legislator who is the state Senate's majority whip.
Reporter Nicholas Ledden can be reached at 758-4441 or by e-mail at nlq2edden@dailyinterlake.com