Please Help Greg Walk Again! & Medical Expenses

On Tuesday, February 27, 2024, at approximately 9:00 a.m. CST, Gregory Lundquist, age 56, Parker Cemetery Steward, Road Crew, and heavy equipment operator, was removing trees from the right-of-way on 71st Road between 242nd Road and 252nd Road on the east side of the roadway. Greg was operating a chainsaw, downing a large Catulpa tree, when a shift occurred, causing the tree to fall his direction. The tree limb caught his left shoulder, snagging him and blocking his direct path to escape. At that moment the tree proceeded to roll Greg’s direction, causing a larger limb to piledrive him into the ground. The impact alone left a 6 inch deep indention of his torso in the ground.

His supervisor, who was operating the backhoe at the time, was unable to protect Greg and couldn’t stop or change the direction of the falling tree. Greg, who is blessed to be alive, suffered a fractured Femur, Pelvis, Scapula, and Spinal injuries to the C7, T1, T8, L1, & L2 Vertebrae. The injuries were severe and life threatening. Ark City EMS was called and responded doing an absolute amazing job in stabilizing him. Greg was then taken to SCKMC trauma where they would address his injuries, quickly realizing the severity as doctors and nurses rushed to stabilize his condition. The EMT & Hospital Staff were able to stabilize Greg for transport, but he was still in imminent danger and had to be Life Watched to Wesley Medical Center where he would undergo emergency surgery.

Within 24 hours of waking up from surgery, Wesley Medical Center’s financial department asked for the Workman’s Compensation Claim number, only to learn that there was no active insurance available at the time of the accident. Upon learning that Greg was not covered with insurance, the in-patient rehabilitation was no longer an option without coverage. He was then discharged and sent home, unable to receive the proper in-patient rehabilitation that the doctor recommended.

After his release from Wesley Neuro Trauma Specialty Unit, Greg was not able to follow the proper discharge instructions the hospital provided due to healthcare providers not excepting new patients without adequate insurance coverage.

Greg is now at home, 16 days later, still unable to acquire the proper treatment and medication needed to proceed with the recommended post-operative aftercare. Greg has a long challenging road ahead of him as he continues to struggle in his efforts to regain any quality of life. Any contribution would be greatly appreciated to assist with accruing and future medical bills and legal expenses. Greg is the kind of guy that would help anyone in a time of need and is known for doing so. Let’s come together as a community and show him that he’s got our support with the long road ahead of him. Again, anything helps. We are setting a goal of $15,000.00, even though the expenses are significantly higher. Our main objective is to get Greg a primary care physician, so that he can receive the proper rehabilitation to walk again.