Boy, 9, stuns family with strength, after partial loss of leg in ATV crash
SASKATOON A nine-year-old boy is recovering in hospital after he lost part of his leg in what his family members call a “freak accident” between a car and an ATV on the Muskoday First Nation.
On Sept. 22, Jace Crain and his 15-year-old passenger were riding an ATV at the intersection of Eagle Crescent and Bear Paw Crescent, obstructed by some bushes, when they were struck by a car.
The Ford Focus, driven by a 27-year-old man, collided with the ATV, causing extensive injuries to Jace’s left leg. Both ATV riders were wearing helmets at the time.
Micheal Shane Henry, Jace’s uncle, said the boy was rushed to hospital in Prince Albert and quickly transported to Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon, where staff worked to save his leg. After several attempts, doctors decided it was best to amputate just below his knee. To help with Jace’s recovery, Henry has started a Gofundme page aimed at raising $20,000.
“We understand that lifelong, it’s going to represent a significant burden for him and for the family, so I just wanted to make sure I could offer whatever help I could,” Henry said.
The nine-year-old, an avid fan of the video game Fortnite, is doing well in hospital and his strength and resilience have kept him and his entire family going throughout a difficult time, he added.
“You don’t want anything like this to happen to a child ever, but I’m quite astounded by his character and how seemingly stuff just bounces off of him.”
He said the money will be used to support family members as they travel to and from Saskatoon during Jace’s recovery, while trying to ensure he is well-prepared for the long term as he transitions to life without a large part of his leg.
As of Friday, the Gofundme page had surpassed $2,400. Henry said he hopes the campaign will help his nephew build a solid foundation so he can live a normal, happy life.
Henry said they’re asking anyone who has experienced similar accidents to reach out to the family, as they feel it’s important for Jace to have a support network.
“It’s sometimes hard for him to connect that image, because all he sees is his lost foot,” he said. “But if there’s an opportunity for us to connect with other people — other children, perhaps — who might have gone through a similar experience, I think that might do him some wonders.”
In Saskatchewan, anyone between the ages of 12 and 15 who operates an ATV on public land must first complete an approved ATV training course or be supervised — either on the same ATV, or a nearby ATV — by someone who has held a driver’s licence continuously for at least a year.
Prince Albert RCMP Sgt. Lyle Korczak said its unlikely charges will be laid as a result of the incident, but the file remains open. He said it’s possible RCMP will speak with Jace’s family about safe ATV operation.
Henry noted the boy’s mother, Latasha Henry, told him she feels more awareness and closer supervision will help ensure this doesn’t happen to other children in the future, adding that Jace has said he’s done with quad riding for now and has asked his family to sell the ATV.