UPDATE: OSP TROOPER SERIOUSLY INJURED ASSISTING DISABLED VEHICLE - HIGHWAY 20W NEAR SISTERS
Posted: August 15th, 2011 10:51 AM
Photo/sound file: http://www.flashalertnewswire.net/images/news/2011-08/1002/46839/OSP.Badge.jpg
Oregon State Police (OSP) has learned Trooper Colin Tracy will be released Monday from St. Charles Medical Center in Bend to return home pending future medical treatment for the injuries he sustained Friday night. He will not be available to speak to media.
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An Oregon State Police (OSP) trooper received serious, non-life threatening head injuries Friday evening while attempting to change a flat tire on a disabled van along Highway 20W near Sisters. As the trooper's upper body was underneath the van trying to remove a spare tire, the van's jack slipped causing the van to fall onto the trooper. The trooper is being treated at a Bend-area hospital while OSP continues to investigate this incident and also locate the person(s) who stopped to help before emergency responders arrived.
According to East Region OSP Captain Travis Hampton, preliminary information indicates on August 12, 2011 at approximately 6:13 p.m. Trooper Colin Tracy stopped to assist a disabled van with a flat tire on the shoulder of Highway 20W near Sisters. The van was already jacked up with the jack resting on the volcanic-ash/cinder highway shoulder.
The female disabled motorist was having difficulty removing the spare tire secured underneath the van. Tracy was lying on his back with his upper body underneath the van to see if he could remove the spare tire when the jack slipped, causing the rear of the van to fall onto Tracy.
Information indicates approximately a dozen people stopped at the scene to help. OSP is trying to confirm who helped re-positioning the jack and raised the van up so Tracy could be pulled out from underneath the van before emergency responders arrived. Anyone who stopped to help Trooper Tracy is asked to contact the OSP Bend Area Command office at (541) 388-6213.
Tracy, age 30, was transported by Sisters-Camp Sherman Ambulance to St. Charles Medical Center in Bend where he is being treated for injuries that will require surgery. He was listed in serious condition but has been authorized by doctors to be released Monday pending future medical treatment including surgery.
Tracy has been with OSP for six years. In addition to his assignment as a Patrol Services Division trooper at the Bend Area Command office, Tracy is a member of the OSP SWAT team.
OSP was assisted at the scene by Deschutes County Sheriff's Office and Cloverdale Fire Department.
Note: The persons with the disabled van are not available for media contact. OSP has not received their permission to release their names at this time.
A photograph of Trooper Tracy will not be released at this time.
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