A GoFundMe campaign has been initiated for a man who was hospitalized after being pinned underneath a car during racing action Saturday at Saratoga Speedway.
Surrey resident Jonathan Sedman, 41, had been setting up for the season-ending fireworks display when a car flipped over the track barrier and landed on him. A safety crew and bystanders lifted the vehicle from Sedman, who was flown to hospital in Vancouver. He sustained several broken ribs, a shattered pelvis, a broken left hip and a ruptured bladder. He is recovering from a brain bleed.
“He’s still in ICU, still under sedation,” his sister, Jennifer Sedman, said Thursday from Vancouver General Hospital. “He’s still on a vent.”
Her brother is also wearing a neck brace due to concern about ligament issues, she added.
Shortly after the incident, Sedman’s wife Christa delivered their first child, a baby boy. Sedman does not yet know he’s a father.
“When he opens his eyes, it’s not him,” Jennifer said. “You can tell, he’s not there yet…We’re hoping that he’ll wake up and be with it enough that they could talk about names.”
Jonathan works at Save On Foods and at Celebration Fireworks. The latter is a family-run company.
Out of respect, the Black Creek speedway cancelled the planned fireworks show.
Money generated by the campaign will support Sedman’s recovery, which will include special equipment to help him walk again. The goal is to raise $25,000.
As of Thursday afternoon, $10,800 had been raised.
“I’m in shock. I’m so touched,” said Jennifer, who figures it will be at least three months before her brother can bear weight.
“I think there’s going to be a lot of expenses in terms of mobility and home care when he does come out.”
Contribute to the campaign at bit.ly/2y1t5mp
reporter@comoxvalleyrecord.com
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