Auction set for injured helicopter passenger
The family of a man severely injured in a helicopter crash near Carcross earlier this year have planned a silent auction to help pay for his care and support.
The family of a man severely injured in a helicopter crash near Carcross earlier this year have planned a silent auction to help support his family.
John Postma was contracted by Environment Yukon to study the grizzly bear population. The helicopter he was riding in crashed on the southeast slope of Nares Mountain on July 10.
The pilot, 56-year-old Paul Rosset of Yellowknife, was killed.
A second researcher aboard was not seriously injured.
Postma broke both of the orbital bones around his eyes, his cheek bone, bones in his jaw, eight ribs on his right side and his sternum.
He punctured a lung and injured four vertebrae in his back, including one which exploded.
Postma was airlifted from Whitehorse General Hospital to Vancouver General Hospital, where he underwent 12 hours of spinal reconstruction.
He has been discharged from the hospital and is now recovering at the GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre in Vancouver.
Diagnosed as a paraplegic, Postma is beginning to get some feeling and movement back in his limbs, his brother Robert told the Star today.
Doctors were to meet with the family today to decide when he can be discharged from the rehabilitation centre.
As for his brother's spirits, Robert said he has been receiving visits from friends from B.C. and the Yukon.
"He has his good days and his bad days. Going from an able-bodied person to where he is now would be hard for anyone,” Robert said.
He doesn't remember much about the crash, Robert said, except that "it was windy.”
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada is investigating.
The 36-year-old had been living in Whitehorse since November 2011 at the time of the crash.
His family is now planning a silent auction to help raise money to enable Postma's parents, who live in Ontario, to stay with him while he recovers.
His medical bills are being paid by insurance.
The online auction will occur from noon Aug. 28 to midnight Sept. 7 at the website www.32auctions.com.
So far, the family has collected 49 items that will be up for bids. These include artwork, landscaping services and sailing lessons.
"John is very thankful for everyone's support,” Robert said.
Anyone interested in donating to the auction can call Robert at 332-5913 or email Ramona at ramona@ualberta.net
A trust fund has also been created to help Postma with medical and personal expenses incurred as a result of the crash.
Donations can be made at any TD Canada Trust bank, account number 0568 6360928.
By ASHLEY JOANNOU
Star Reporter
Comments (3)
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Bill Grout on Aug 24, 2012 at 12:46 am
Kudos to those willing to help the family in its time of need. While it is reassuring to see the insurance system is paying the medical bills, it's heartwarming to see the wider community support Posma's family through his recovery.
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A bit hasty... on Aug 21, 2012 at 8:15 am
Sad accident. Hope he recovers well.
However, isn't it a bit hasty for the fund raiser? Since he was a contractor, Yukon must have required YWCB coverage from either himself or from the company he works for as part of the contractor's responsibilities?
To my knowledge, most people injured on the job up here in the Yukon end up making more money on YWCB than working.
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What about Insurance? on Aug 17, 2012 at 8:23 am
Don't people generally sue the aviation company in cases like this? That is why all companies are required to carry insurance, to cover medical expenses and damages for instances like this. Don't get why they should have to fundraise in the first place...