From email update on July 29, day of accident:
"Quick update:
Laura went down riding 2nd to last in a group of 5 going down a hill. No one is quite sure why as the road was smooth and straight, but one of the lead riders said there was a decent sized stick in the road running parallel to the direction of travel, and if you were to catch that just wrong at high speed and unaware, it could easily throw your front wheel and you'd be down before you knew what happened. That's best guess to what happened. They were in a remote stretch of territory and first responder EMTs transported her to a field where she was airlifted to Cumberland due to lack of responsiveness on scene.
She has broken collarbone, numerous ribs, bruised femur, laceration on elbows, face, shoulder, etc.... Major contusion under left eye. Helmet saved her life almost certainly. Most serious is bleeding in the subarachnoid space of the brain. According to neurologist it is something that will diffuse over a number of days and does not require surgical intervention but they are keeping close eye on it. She has rarely been conscious all day and it takes much to get her to be responsive, and when so, she is not lucid or coherent. She is less responsive on the right side of her body and one pupil is dramatically dilated compared to the other. The neurologist seems less concerned by these symptoms than me, nonetheless they have just taken her off to more scans. I am awaiting results and assessment by neurologist.
Because everyone else here is calm and not overly concerned with her injuries, I am trying to be the same. But, it's been a tough day and I'm pretty freaked out, though. Will update further when there is new news that will surely be news for the better.
- Kyle"
Sam Galpin, Jimmy Railey, Reece McGregor, Ben King, and Laura were riding the SavageMan course. The crash occurred on Savage River Rd descent, a fast but not technical or dangerous section. It is believed she hit the guardrail and bounced back into the road. Abrasions are on knees, hip, back, shoulder, neck, face. Big laceration to right elbow requiring stitches. Broken right collarbone and two ribs on right side. Major contusion under left eye and abrasion on left face and neck and also right shoulder, which must have been tough to pull off. Helmet is intact but crushed. Large contusion on left thigh and matching bruise on right, probably from handlebars or guardrail. EMTs transported Laura by ambulance to Big Run where medivac picked her up and flew her to Cumberland.
I drove to Cumberland with Megan and we spent the day and evening with her in ICU. Laura spent little time conscious that day and evening, and was incoherent and non-sensical for the brief moments that she was.
Laura's mom flew from Kentucky to Pittsburgh and got to Cumberland at 9pm to take over care of Megan. Laura's father Tom arrived from Dover later that evening.
Sam Galpin, Jimmy Railey, Reece McGregor, Ben King, and Laura were riding the SavageMan course. The crash occurred on Savage River Rd descent, a fast but not technical or dangerous section. It is believed she hit the guardrail and bounced back into the road. Abrasions are on knees, hip, back, shoulder, neck, face. Big laceration to right elbow requiring stitches. Broken right collarbone and two ribs on right side. Major contusion under left eye and abrasion on left face and neck and also right shoulder, which must have been tough to pull off. Helmet is intact but crushed. Large contusion on left thigh and matching bruise on right, probably from handlebars or guardrail. EMTs transported Laura by ambulance to Big Run where medivac picked her up and flew her to Cumberland.
I drove to Cumberland with Megan and we spent the day and evening with her in ICU. Laura spent little time conscious that day and evening, and was incoherent and non-sensical for the brief moments that she was.
Laura's mom flew from Kentucky to Pittsburgh and got to Cumberland at 9pm to take over care of Megan. Laura's father Tom arrived from Dover later that evening.
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