Photo: Gofundme
A Texas man can no longer see in one eye after suffering a “freak accident” during a hike with his son.
Edward Steinkamp of Allen, Texas, is receiving treatment at Victoria General Hospital in British Columbia, Canada, after “what started as a beautiful experience with stunning views turned suddenly tragic a few days later” when Steinkamp fell, aGoFundMeto raise money for his medical expenses said.
Steinkamp and his son Bret “left for a lifetime opportunity” April 30, per the fundraiser.
After undergoing surgery in the ICU, he was taken to the Neuro Trauma Ward, receiving treatment from a neurosurgeon.
“Ed is now fighting infection and is in much pain. It has been determined he has lost sight in one eye and is fighting an ongoing fever,” the GoFundMe shared.
The page pointed out the “enormous” expenses “from the airlift rescue and the medics who attended to him, to the brain surgery and needed drugs, the ambulance rides to the Ophthalmologist, the CT scans, as well as the lengthy and undetermined time he will need to remain hospitalized in the special ward.”
It concluded, “Ed has touched so many of our lives with kindness and laughter. He has never turned down any one of us whenever we have asked for help or in our time of need. Let us now help him in his.”
Speaking withTimes Colonistabout his father’s condition, Bret said, “Everything is really fluid right now.”
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Steinkamp’s injury occurred during the third day of the hike on May 3, per the publication. A fallen tree was blocking the path on the West Coast Trail, and Steinkamp tried to walk on the log instead of treading through the mud. He fell from the log and landed on a branch that went through his left eye, reaching into his brain.
Bret, 28, added that he and his father, who were hiking with two other people, are skilled backpackers and always comply with safety guidelines, noting that Steinkamp’s backpacking experience dates back to his teenage years.
source: people.com
