A 17-year-old boy remains in critical condition after being airlifted to hospital on Wednesday following an accident at the McMillan Skatepark in Abbotsford.
A family friend told The News on Thursday afternoon that Justin Walsh is in an induced coma in the intensive care unit of Royal Columbian Hospital, and his prognosis is unclear.
He has bleeding on the front left side of his brain, and his cheekbone is broken.
Walsh suffered a serious head injury while riding his BMX bike at the park – located at the corner of Old Yale and McMillan roads – at about 5 p.m. Abbotsford Police Const. Ian MacDonald said the teen had attempted a jump, but went over the handlebars and crashed to the ground.
He was not wearing a helmet at the time, MacDonald said. Walsh was transported from the scene by air ambulance.
The family friend said that Walsh and her son, who are best friends, ride their bikes daily at the skate park.
The friend said the family was appreciative of a woman on the scene who was directed to Walsh’s home, where she informed his parents of the situation and then drove them to the skate park.
The friend said the family is now likely to face some financial struggles related to Walsh’s recovery. For example, his parents, Tracey and Gerard, don’t own a car and are having to borrow vehicles to get to and from the hospital.
A GoFundMe account has been set up to help them with gas expenses and perhaps to purchase a used vehicle.
The account can be accessed at gofundme.com/ck8fykn8.