Mark McMorris seriously injured in backcountry accident

During a backcountry snowboard trip on Saturday, March 25, Olympic bronze medalist Mark McMorris sustained several injuries including a fractured jaw, fractured left arm, ruptured spleen, a stable pelvic fracture, rib fractures and a collapsed left lung, according to Canada Snowboard Team Physician, Doctor Rodney J. French.
 
After being airlifted to Vancouver General Hospital, McMorris underwent a successful minimally invasive surgery to control bleeding from the spleen on Saturday, March 25.
 
The 23-year-old regina native underwent a second surgery on Sunday evening, March 26, to repair both his jaw and upper arm fractures.
 
According to Doctor French, McMorris' surgeries were both successful.

“While both the mandible and humerus fractures were complicated injuries, the surgeries went very well and both fractures are now stabilized to heal in excellent position. It is too early to speculate on a timeline for Mark's recovery.” said Dr. French.
 
This follows a successful snowboard season in which Mark won three X Games medals and two Crystal Globes, one for the new Olympic discipline of Big Air and another as the Overall FIS Snowboard Freestyle World Cup champion for 2016/2017.
 
Canada Snowboard’s Executive Director, Patrick Jarvis, believes that Mark will be prepared for the rehabilitation required to make a comeback to competition leading into PyeongChang 2018. 
 
"We fully support Mark and he is already under the incredible care of the staff of the Vancouver General Hospital.” said Mr. Jarvis. "Mark has shown incredible resilience and commitment to recovering from injury and we know that PyeongChang 2018 will be a strong motivation for his comeback.

--- contributed by Canada Snowboard ---