[SprinterX]

A long time family friend was seriously injured in a sprint car race this past Sunday afternoon at Terre Haute. My son raced with him for many years up and down the west coast in quarter midgets, micro and mini sprints. We quit about 5 years ago and he continued on, moving up to the full size sprint cars. He's only 21 years old and a truely talented driver having started racing about 7 years old. His name is Travis Rutz.

He suffered severe head trauma, broken arms, collar bones, vertebre and a collapsed lung. It was described by many as the worst crash they had ever seen. He was airlifted to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis and is currently in an induced comma with a ventilator. It's been just over 48 hours and there have been some positives to cling too as his brain swelling is reducing and he's responding to touch.

http://www.indianaopenwheel.com/showthread.php?t=23911

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/travisrutz

http://www.travisrutz.com/travisrutz.com/Home.html

Those of us back home and around the racing community are absolutely sick over this and would appreciate all your prayers for his recovery.

Thanx, Kirk
__________________

 

[rehctelf]

My hopes and prayers are with him. Hoping for the best. Keep us up to date.

 

[JIMMYJOHN]

It a Prayer Chain was ever needed it would be for this young Man. God Bless Him and His Family! :angel: :angel: :angel:

 

[Dasha]

Wow, my prayers will be including him!!!

 

[jonas1022]

I will keep him in my prayers, and you as well!

Keep us abreast of his improvements please.

 

[stone]

Sorry to hear, about your friends situation. Can sympathise, with what has occured.

 

[Colleen]

Soo sorry to hear about this. I will be praying for all of you. :heart:

 

[SprinterX]

Travis was in surgery today for about 5 hours to repair a leaking artery behind his left eye. I'm hearing it went well and he is expected to come out of the induced coma very soon. His vitals are also improving as of now. He has a long recovery ahead of him and every little step counts. He's a strong, healthy young man with so much more life to live.
I want to thank you all for your kind thought's and prayers. With all the support he's receiving from every where he's simply gotta pull thru.

 

[megascape]

Soo sorry to hear about this. I will be praying for all of you. :heart:

glad to read surgery was so far successful :thumb:

 

[RobtRoma]

Sorry to hear about this accident Kirk. Travis will definitely be in my prayers as will his family and friends...

 

[jonas1022]

Glad to hear that he is coming out of the induced coma. He may not be too happy with it at first, but still, it's a good sign of things to come!