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U.S. Athlete injured in Greece returns home
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| US Sailing Team - Athens 2002 Regatta - U.S. Athlete injured in Greece returns home |
| PORTSMOUTH, RI-(27-8-2002) After spending two weeks
hospitalized in Greece, US Sailing Team member Kimberly Birkenfeld (Miami,
Fla./Myrtle Creek, Ore.), has been transported via air ambulance back to her
native Oregon. Birkenfeld, the number one ranked Women’s Windsurfer on the
2002 US Sailing Team, will continue her recovery at the Oregon Health and
Science Hospital in Portland.
Birkenfeld was preparing for the Athens 2002 Regatta on August 8 when she
sustained two injuries -- to the base of her skull, and a leg laceration --
from a motorboat propeller. The motorboat driver was instrumental in
getting Birkenfeld to shore where she was quickly transported to the
hospital. The accident remains under investigation by the Greek Coast Guard
who will not issue a report until they have been able to obtain a statement
from Birkenfeld.
“US SAILING will not comment further on the circumstances of the accident
while this investigation remains open,” said Olympic Sailing Committee
Chairman Fred Hagedorn (Chicago, Ill.). “Until she is able to share her
impressions of the accident, we hope our position complements the ideals of
fair-play that Kimberly, herself, has always exhibited.” Hagedorn, acting
as a spokesman for Birkenfeld’s family, stressed that they have no desire to
take any attention away from Kimberly and her recovery.
“Recovery from a serious trauma, such as that which Kimberly has received,
is a slow process. Kimberly has continued to improve over the past two weeks
and remained stable throughout her transport by Critical Care International.
She remains in the ICU and is now undergoing a full evaluation with the
medical team at her new hospital.”
Further updates on Birkenfeld’s condition will be issued as her progress
dictates.
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Source: Jan Harley, Media Pro |
