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Ponder ISD Coach in ICU After Shot Put Accident at Regional Meet

Emergency surgery to relieve brain swelling points to a long recovery.

Overview

  • Blake Crutsinger, who was hit in the head during Saturday's UIL Region II-3A meet in Tyler, suffered a skull fracture and brain swelling.
  • He underwent a left hemicraniectomy Monday, a procedure in which surgeons remove part of the skull to lower pressure on the brain.
  • His wife says he remains sedated on a ventilator in intensive care.
  • Doctors expect at least 2 to 4 weeks in the ICU before replacing the skull flap, then a likely transfer to inpatient rehab in Dallas.
  • Ponder ISD called for community support, and his wife thanked the on-site responders and asked for compassion for the student who threw the shot put.