Teenager injured on deadly luge run home from hospital
CALGARY • A survivor of a deadly crash during an afterhours visit to a luge-bobsled track is crediting his deep faith for helping him recover.
Caleb Hettinga suffered critical injuries when he and seven other teens climbed a fence at Calgary’s Canada Olympic Park in the wee hours Feb. 6 and went down the run on three sleds. They hit a gate used to separate the luge and bobsled tracks.
In a video posted to social media, Caleb thanks members of his family’s church for their prayers and support. A metal halo circles the top of his head and a patch covers his right eye.
“One thing that I learned through this experience is that God never leaves you alone to suffer through an experience like this,” the 18-year-old said.
“A lot of people would probably get really depressed after something like this. But I’ve really felt a peace and a hope through this.”
Caleb’s grandfather, Larry Sagert, told parishioners in another video that the youths had no idea there was a barricade on the run. He said “five of the eight boys were clotheslined by a heavy chain.”
The impact “smashed every bone” of his grandson’s face, broke the base of his skull and cost him the vision in his right eye, Sagert said.
Twin 17-year-old brothers Evan and Jordan Caldwell, who had worked at the facility the previous summer, were killed.
Caleb’s uncle, Mark Hettinga of Saskatoon, said the teen got out of hospital a few weeks ago and is continuing to recover at home.
Hettinga plans to hold a silent auction this weekend to raise money to help his brother’s family, which is facing high medical expenses.
“It’s to raise money for the whole family, for all the major expenses they’re going to have to come across.” — the dental, the orthodontist and physio, and all those that aren’t covered.”
The Caldwell Fund, a fundraising effort by the relatives of the two boys who died, has raised $46,665 to date.
Hettinga said Caleb’s “whole face pretty much had to be rebuilt” and he continues to wear a halo to support his head because of the neck fracture, although he is able to walk and the prognosis for recovery is good.
“He’s a fighter,” Hettinga said. “He’s determined to get better.”
The family has relied on the help of friends and their church. Caleb’s parents, Justin and Tammy Hettinga, have worked as missionaries in Peru. Justin Hettinga also has worked at the Calgary headquarters of Bible translator Wycliffe Canada.
“It’s been a challenge, to say the least,” Mark Hettinga said. “But they’re getting through it, day by day. Their faith has got them through a lot of it.”
In his address to the church, Caleb’s grandfather said the teen did not lose consciousness and remembers praying, “Lord, I’m ready,” because he thought death was at hand.
Mark Hettinga agreed that Caleb has relied on his spirituality throughout his recovery, saying it has given him motivation and comfort.
Police have said no one will face criminal charges. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled multiple blunt force trauma was the cause of the deaths, and drugs or alcohol were not believed to have been factors.
The other survivors suffered a range of injuries, but Caleb’s were the most critical.
ONE THING THAT I LEARNED THROUGH THIS EXPERIENCE IS THAT GOD NEVER LEAVES YOU ALONE TO SUFFER THROUGH AN EXPERIENCE LIKE THIS. A LOT OF PEOPLE WOULD PROBABLY GET REALLY DEPRESSED … BUT I’VE REALLY FELT A PEACE AND A HOPE. — CALEB HETTINGA