UPDATE:
Bobby Clark, the football player from Priest River High School who was airlifted out of the stadium last Friday night, was still in critical condition as of Tuesday morning.
Those close to the family said Clark was still in a medically-induced coma so doctors could reduce swelling around his brain.
Also on Tuesday morning, a member of the school board in Priest River said they have serious reservations considering the news that more than a dozen players on the team have suffered concussions this year. That board member said they would consider moving to cancel the rest of the football season if the trend of concussions didn't improve on the team.
Mike McGuire, superintendent of the West Bonner School District, said Monday the injuries are a combination of Priest River's relative small size and bad luck. He said all the school's equipment, including helmets, have been checked out and meet standards.
Previous Coverage:
Bobby Clark, a football player for Priest River High School, remains in critical condition at a Spokane hospital after suffering a serious injury last Friday night in the team's 63-6 loss to Timberlake.
Sources tell SWX that Clark suffered a concussion earlier in the week, but no one knew about it. He took a blow in the first half of the team's game on Friday night, walked to the sidelines and collapsed. He had to be airlifted to the hospital.
Clark was one of three players for Priest River who suffered apparent concussions on Friday. One other player also went to the hospital but was released. He returned to school on Monday. A third player did not require hospitalization.
Concussions are reportedly nothing new to the Priest River football program this season. Once source told SWX at least 13 players on the team have had a concussion at one time or another so far this year.
Previous report:
A football player for Priest River High School remains in a Spokane hospital after suffering a serious injury last Friday night in the team's 63-6 loss to Timberlake.
The boy is in critical condition, but sources say his condition is not life threatening. It is unclear whether his injury could be labeled Second Impact Syndrome, a rapid swelling of the brain that sometimes happens when someone with a concussion is hit a second time before healing.
Spokesman.com reported Monday afternoon that a Johanna Simpkins-Johnson wrote on Facebook on Saturday: "He is in critical condition and in a induced coma… his left eye responded so they will slowly take him out of the coma… the next 24 to 72 hours are critical".
KHQ/SWX continues to investigate this story and will have more information when it is made available.
A school board member said Tuesday they would consider canceling the rest of the football season if the trend of concussions didn't improve (Photo: SWX)
