Snowboarding star Mark McMorris in hospital after backcountry accident
VANCOUVER — Snowboarding star Mark McMorris, one of Canada’s medal favourites at next year’s Winter Olympics, is in a Vancouver hospital after suffering several injuries Saturday during a backcountry excursion.
The Regina native is recovering from a broken jaw, broken left arm, ruptured spleen, stable pelvic fracture, rib fractures and a collapsed left lung, Canada Snowboard said in a release Monday.
No details of how McMorris suffered the injuries were given. Fans of backcountry skiing and snowboarding seek out fresh fallen snow on unmarked and ungroomed slopes in remote areas that usually aren’t maintained and patrolled by the personnel seen at traditional resorts.
The 23-year-old Olympic bronze medallist underwent two surgeries over the weekend to control bleeding and to repair the jaw and arm fractures. Canadian team doctor Rodney French said both operations were successful but couldn’t predict how long McMorris will be sidelined.