An 8-year-old Farmington boy was listed in fair condition Monday at a Denver hospital after suffering serious facial injuries when he hit a tree Sunday at Purgatory at Durango Mountain Resort.
Lance Thrower’s injuries are not life-threatening, his grandfather, Larry Thrower, said Monday afternoon.
“We were pretty shaky last night when we heard about it,” said Thrower, who shares a law firm with Brandt Thrower, the injured boy’s father. “We’re just thankful the news is as good as it is.”
Lance Thrower, a student at McKinley Elementary School, was skiing on a green, or easy, run Sunday afternoon when he skied off the side of the trail. He led with his face into a tree.
The impact broke his upper jawbone and other facial bones, and several teeth were knocked out. He suffered bruises and bleeding behind his eyes – another big concern – but doctors were encouraged the damage was not as great as at first feared, Larry Thrower said.
The boy was wearing goggles and a helmet at the time of the incident.
Durango Mountain Resort’s ski patrol was notified at 2:25 p.m. Sunday of an incident on Pinkerton Toll Road, resort spokeswoman Kim Oyler said Monday. Patrollers responded immediately, and the 8-year-old boy was taken to Mercy Regional Medical Center.
After the crash, he was flown by plane to Denver, said Larry Thrower, who learned of the incident about 5 p.m. Sunday.
“The news is better this morning,” he said.
A Children’s Hospital Colorado spokeswoman confirmed Monday afternoon the boy is in fair condition.
He likely will be at Children’s Hospital for a week or more for surgery and recovery, Larry Thrower said.
This is at least the second serious crash this season involving a youth and a tree at DMR. On Dec. 27, 12-year-old Patricia Lucero of Albuquerque was skiing on an intermediate trail known as Legends when she caught an edge and slammed into a tree, said Johanna Lucero, the girl’s mother. She was released after about 10 days from an Albuquerque hospital after suffering multiple pelvis and facial fractures. She also was wearing a helmet.
“You still need to ski or snowboard as if you’re not wearing a helmet,” Oyler said. She advised being under control and aware of your surroundings.
johnp@durangoherald.com
