http://www.motoworld.com/ts/or_010416.jhtml )

DISTLER CRITICALLY INJURED AT GLAMIS


Freestyle rider Robert Distler was critically injured Saturday while riding at Glamis. He suffered major injuries to his neck, lungs and trachea.

(Press Release from Dorina Groves)

LBZ rider Robert Distler suffered critical injuries at Glamis on Saturday, April 14th when he overshot a jump by about 40 feet. Upon landing, his neck hit the cross bar which resulted in a severed trachea, tears in his esophagus, bruised lungs and a speculated severed nerve of his vocal cord.

Robert was treated at Brawley, a hospital in the vicinity of Glamis where an emergency tracheotomy was performed and in fact, this is what saved his life. From there he was airlifted to the University of California San Diego Trauma Center. Surgery was done immediately and his severed trachea was successfully repaired. He is resting comfortably and heavily medicated to reduce movement until the swelling subsides in his neck. Though not completely out of the woods as there is still the fear of infection from the esophagus injury, he made some movement on Sunday and if his fever remains on a low grade, he will be taken off the respirator as soon as Monday.

No questions have been asked or opinions given as to whether this will end his riding career but it is anticipated he will be in ICU for the next seven days and in the hospital for at least three weeks.

Many prayer's have been said which the family believes is crucial to Roberts recovery.

Get Wells can be sent to Robert at distlers@home.com

For further information, please contact Dorina Groves at dg900sssp2@aol.com or (253) 261-5723.