A tragedy from last weekend has left an Arnprior youth lucky to be alive.
Saturday evening (June 27th), 16 year-old Jakob Ayotte was walking with friends along the Algonquin Trail near Daniel and William Streets in Arnprior when he slipped and fell headfirst down a steep incline landing on a concrete slab.
The area has since been blocked off by the Town of Arnprior, but was unbarricaded at the time Jakob was injured.
He was airlifted by ORNG ambulance to CHEO, but poor weather meant the chopper was unable to land.
Jakob was returned to ARH where an ORNG vehicle then drove him- without vital signs, to the children’s hospital.
Scans determined he had suffered a brain bruise; he was in a state of paralysis, but alive.
Ayotte has lost the sight in his right eye and has skull, orbital and cheek fractures which will all require plastic surgery.
He will need dental surgery, has cracked ribs and a compressed lung.
Jakob has short-term memory loss which may be temporary.
Most of his medical needs aren’t covered by the family’s insurance, and a GoFundMe page has been started to help out.
Jakob’s mom is a daycare worker currently off the job due to the COVID crisis, but will need to stay home to attend to his needs as he begins a lengthy recovery.
Over seven thousand dollars has been raised to date, and a link to the Support Our Medical Miracle gofundMe page is found on our website.