- J
On October 21, 2014, the Colton family was involved in a very severe car wreck. Only a short 2 miles from their home, a box truck ran a stop sign and collided with the Colton Suburban occupied by their entire family: Austin (29) father, Sheena (29) mother, Talinn (5) son, Sylver (3) daughter, Braeah (2) daughter. The high-speed impact caused the suburban off the road and down a 20 foot ravine. The vehicle rolled until landing in a field on its passenger side. The SUV was propped up at its rear corner by a large pipe sticking out of the ground from what had been, only moments before impact, a well house.
Sheena, the front seat passenger, lay unconcious mostly rolled out of passenger window. Had the Suburban's momentum not been stopped by the wellhouse pipe, Sheena would have been crushed by even another quarter turn of the rolling vehicle. Miraculously, her life was spared.
Austin never lost consciousness during the event. Once they stopped rolling down into the field, he checked on the kids. While they were crying, there appeared no trauma. Austin looked down (the ground was at the passenger door) and saw his wife. She was entirely unresponsive to him. Austin knew he had to get to her. Austin's mother passed away when he was only 5 years old. When he saw Sheena lying there an image of his mother passed through his mind. Momentary panic was overcome by resolve. Austin hung from his seatbelt, suspended above his wife. Without addressing his own condition, he hit his seat belt button. He fell from his seat, through the cab and out the passenger window landing next to Sheena. While Austin fell through the car, he realized his leg was broken. When he landed he could see that about 8 inches above his right ankle the break left his lower leg was at a 90 degree angle. Austin rubbed his wife's shoulder and asked God not to do this. Miraculously, Sheena awakened, unaware of what was happening around her.
Austin's phone had also landed close by -- he used it to call Sheena's father who was minutes away. Austin asked him to hurry and come comfort the children who were being extracted from car by kind witnesses and passersby along with a very much-appreciated flight nurse who lived close by, heard the accident and rushed over to assist. By some miracle, the children avoided serious physical injury (unfortunately, they each continue to struggle emotionally).
Sheena was life-flighted while Austin and the children were all taken by ambulances to same hospital in Boise. Sheena remained hospitalized for 3 weeks with broken hip (surgery), broken knee (surgery), broken wrist, 4 broken ribs, laceration from her eye brow to hair line, the complications of a traumatic brain injury and nerve damage in a few areas. Sheena is unable to drive or return to school or work for a minimum of 1 year.
Austin suffered a fractured tib/fib and had 2 surgerys. He now has a titanium rod in his right leg and is learning how to get around. He is unable to drive or return to work for 3-4 months.
Their situation leaves them unable to pay bills until Austin is again able to work. They have a lot of close family and friends who are helping out beacause their injuries leave them immobile. Everyday things like cooking, cleaning, shopping, taking care of kids and even going to bathroom are challenging and strenuous activities.
The Coltons are extremely thankful for all the help from all their loved ones and thankful to be alive. They are excited to recover and make a differance in others' lives as many have done for them. Please help the Coltons stay afloat with their bills and expenses while they recover from the pain, strain and challenges resulting from this terrible wreck.
News report:
http://www.ktvb.com/story/news/local/2014/10/22/ravine-crash-injury/17710735/
Sheena, the front seat passenger, lay unconcious mostly rolled out of passenger window. Had the Suburban's momentum not been stopped by the wellhouse pipe, Sheena would have been crushed by even another quarter turn of the rolling vehicle. Miraculously, her life was spared.
Austin never lost consciousness during the event. Once they stopped rolling down into the field, he checked on the kids. While they were crying, there appeared no trauma. Austin looked down (the ground was at the passenger door) and saw his wife. She was entirely unresponsive to him. Austin knew he had to get to her. Austin's mother passed away when he was only 5 years old. When he saw Sheena lying there an image of his mother passed through his mind. Momentary panic was overcome by resolve. Austin hung from his seatbelt, suspended above his wife. Without addressing his own condition, he hit his seat belt button. He fell from his seat, through the cab and out the passenger window landing next to Sheena. While Austin fell through the car, he realized his leg was broken. When he landed he could see that about 8 inches above his right ankle the break left his lower leg was at a 90 degree angle. Austin rubbed his wife's shoulder and asked God not to do this. Miraculously, Sheena awakened, unaware of what was happening around her.
Austin's phone had also landed close by -- he used it to call Sheena's father who was minutes away. Austin asked him to hurry and come comfort the children who were being extracted from car by kind witnesses and passersby along with a very much-appreciated flight nurse who lived close by, heard the accident and rushed over to assist. By some miracle, the children avoided serious physical injury (unfortunately, they each continue to struggle emotionally).
Sheena was life-flighted while Austin and the children were all taken by ambulances to same hospital in Boise. Sheena remained hospitalized for 3 weeks with broken hip (surgery), broken knee (surgery), broken wrist, 4 broken ribs, laceration from her eye brow to hair line, the complications of a traumatic brain injury and nerve damage in a few areas. Sheena is unable to drive or return to school or work for a minimum of 1 year.
Austin suffered a fractured tib/fib and had 2 surgerys. He now has a titanium rod in his right leg and is learning how to get around. He is unable to drive or return to work for 3-4 months.
Their situation leaves them unable to pay bills until Austin is again able to work. They have a lot of close family and friends who are helping out beacause their injuries leave them immobile. Everyday things like cooking, cleaning, shopping, taking care of kids and even going to bathroom are challenging and strenuous activities.
The Coltons are extremely thankful for all the help from all their loved ones and thankful to be alive. They are excited to recover and make a differance in others' lives as many have done for them. Please help the Coltons stay afloat with their bills and expenses while they recover from the pain, strain and challenges resulting from this terrible wreck.
News report:
http://www.ktvb.com/story/news/local/2014/10/22/ravine-crash-injury/17710735/