Central Oregon Teen Snowboarder Paralyzed During Practice

Per the Bend Bulletin- April 4th, 2007 Edition

Tyler Eklund was excelling as a young snowboarder, preparing to compete in a national championship during his first season of competitive boarding.

But the 14-year-old Bend boy's burgeoning career was cut tragically short Sunday, when he fell during a practice run for the USA Snowboard Association National Championships, being staged this week at Northstar at Tahoe resort in Truckee, California.

Eklund, born and raised in Bend, suffered a broken vertebra in his neck and as of late Tuesday was paralyzed from the neck down, according to Hans Hibbard, Eklund's coach and snowboarding director for the Mt. Bachelor Sports Education Foundation.

Tyler is currently not able to breathe on his own and is hospitalized in Reno, Nevada. A fund has been established to help the Eklund's with the overwhelming medical expenses, which could easily reach into the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

All Central Oregon US Bank branches are accepting donations in Tyler Eklund's name. For more information on the fund, contact MBSEF @ 541-388-0002.

If you are financially able, please donate to the Eklund family. If you are unable to donate, please remember Tyler Eklund and his family in your prayers. Thank You.