Pilot Down

[MikeP]

Steve Garthwaite was injured yesterday while flying at Deer Creek, sustaining a broken back.
He impacted the ground fracturing his L-4 verterbrae and was taken to St. John's Regional Medical Center where he now lies in extreme pain. He indicated that it is a burst fracture, based on X-rays and CT scan. The worst type, but he is not paralyzed and is going in for an MRI now to determine exactly the extent of the damage. No other serious injuries but he likely will end up with some hardware in his back, like I did. Which, by the way, is going to be removed soon. I'll post something when I get a date.
Steve, for those of you who don't know him is a very nice silver-haired gentleman and a hell of a pilot (he has, after all, survived Deer Creek all these years) earning the moniker "bushwhacker". A churchgoing couple, he and wife Judy would appreciate prayers and positive thoughts.
More later.

Mike

[MikeP]

Steve is scheduled for surgery tomorrow morning. Judy tells me they're going in with the titanium.
I found a picture of Steve taken at Bates a few years back. He had just assisted SD launching in high wind, on a flight that ended near Gonzales Road in Oxnard. http://www.flickr.com/photos/minimike/1 ... 967154067/
More on Friday

Mike

[Bo Criss]

Really sorry to hear about Steve getting hurt. He is a classy gentleman and I hope he has a steady and full recovery. My thoughts are with you and your family Steve.

[Doug G]

Thanks for the updates Mike, if possible please keep them coming.

I was shocked to hear about this, as I know Steve to be a great pilot....That Deer Creek can be a scary place...

Steve, hope you get through this as quickly as possible. Best wishes to you and your family during this difficult time. Hang in there..

[irene]

I am so sorry to hear about Steve. I hope the recovery will go fast and as smoothly as possible...

[MikeP]

Judy, Steve's wife tells me the surgery took 8-9 hours and appears to be successful. There seems to be an issue with one leg that is keeping him from walking, but they're working to find the cause. L-4 has been replaced by a titanium vertebrae and I suspect there is also a titanium cage supporting the spine. Haven't talked to Steve since Tuesday but Judy says he was in high spirits yesterday.

[Robb]

Let Steve know we're all thinking of him and to let us know if there is anything we can do.

Titanium vertebrae?? From now on his name is Steve Austin!

[MikeP]

Steve returned home from the hospital Monday and will be getting used to the life I have known for the last six months. He's a strong guy and will adapt to it quickly. The best thing though is he's going to be OK.
Wants to re-name Deer Creek "Brokeback Mountain".
Jeff Powell has supplied Steve with stacks of DVDs to help while away the hours, but if you have the number, give him a call. There is nothing like having friends to help share the burden.

Mike