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Garrard ambulance director remains in critical condition

details of accident given

September 29, 2009|By BEN KLEPPINGER

LEXINGTON — The director of the Garrard County ambulance service remained in critical condition Tuesday evening, after responding badly when doctors tried to bring him out of sedation.

Colby Arnold suffered a head injury Sunday evening while biking along Pope Road near his home. Family friend Daryl Hodge said Arnold was biking along Ky. 52 Sunday evening shortly after 5 p.m. Arnold turned onto Pope Road, and shortly after that a woman who was mowing saw his bike slip off the side of the road, causing Arnold to lose his balance.

Hodge said Arnold tried to regain his balance, but while he was doing that, his bike hit something and flipped forward. Arnold, who was not wearing a helmet, was flung head-first onto the pavement.

The woman came over to help Arnold, who was bleeding from the head but trying to get back up, Hodge said. She helped him stay on the ground until help came.

Boyle County EMS responded to the scene and transported Arnold to a helipad, where he was flown to the University of Kentucky Medical Center. Arnold was sedated during the flight.

Sunday evening Arnold underwent two brain surgeries, including one less than three hours after the accident, due to blood pooling on his brain. Part of Arnold's skull was cut away to allow removal of blood clots, and Hodge confirmed that a small piece of Arnold's brain has been removed because it was damaged.

Hodge said doctors performed a CT scan Tuesday morning confirming that Arnold had suffered a stroke while sedated on Monday.

Doctors attempted to bring Arnold out of sedation Tuesday, Hodge said, but Arnold reacted badly and pressure began building up in his brain again. Doctors have decided to leave him sedated for 24 more hours, and re-evaluate the situation Wednesday morning.

Hodge said Arnold's family and especially his wife, Joan, is extremely thankful for the support they're receiving.

"Joan wants to express her deep appreciation to everyone that's phoned," he said. "They're very appreciative of the outpouring that they've received."

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