'Lucky to be alive': U.S. man loses eye in hiking injury on B.C.'s West Coast Trail
Warning: This story contains graphic details.
A Texas man is in hospital after he lost an eye in a hiking injury on the West Coast Trail on Vancouver Island, B.C.
Edward Steinkamp was hiking the trail with his son on May 3 when he fell and had a branch pierce through his eye and partially into his brain.
Steinkamp was airlifted to hospital for what Parks Canada described as "serious injuries" at the time, though the organization noted that the man was in "stable condition."
A rescue helicopter is pictured on the West Coast Trail. (MARPAC)
On Friday, a family member said Steinkamp had lost his eye because of the injury and the branch had penetrated his frontal lobe.
"The surgeon said, 'You're lucky to be alive, you've got this branch in your brain," said the hiker's brother, Peter Steinkamp.
He's set to undergo further surgery due to an infection on Friday.
"It looks like he lost one eye because when he fell on the branch it severed an optic nerve," said the man's brother.
"They removed it but now they're looking at some infections," he said.
FRIENDS LAUNCH FUNDRAISER
An online fundraiser has been set up to support the hiker's family. Steinkamp's older brother says there's been insurance challenges since the U.S. man was in Canada, and adds that Steinkamp's son and wife are trying to stay on Vancouver Island while he receives care.
"They've got to stay for maybe a month," said the man's brother.
Peter Steinkamp says the injury was a freak accident, noting that his brother runs marathons and takes part in other outdoor activities across the U.S.
"So him doing this was not much of a thing," said the brother.
"His son was shook up as you can imagine."
Family members say they're grateful for the rescue teams that evacuated Steinkamp from the remote trail, and for the medical teams that are looking after him now.
Steinkamp's brother says the family is keeping him in their thoughts, especially as he undergoes another surgery.
"[We're] not out of the woods when they say, 'We've got to fight this infection in the brain.' It's not very easy," he said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Pedestrian, baby injured after stroller struck and dragged by vehicle in Squamish, B.C.
Police say a baby and a pedestrian suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a vehicle struck a baby stroller and dragged it for two blocks before stopping in Squamish, B.C.
Senate expenses climbed to $7.2 million in 2023, up nearly 30%
Senators in Canada claimed $7.2 million in expenses in 2023, a nearly 30 per cent increase over the previous year.
Demonstrators kicked out of Ontario legislature for disruption after failed keffiyeh vote
A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
RCMP uncovers alleged plot by 2 Montreal men to illegally sell drones, equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Government agrees to US$138.7M settlement over FBI's botching of Larry Nassar assault allegations
The U.S. Justice Department announced a US$138.7 million settlement Tuesday with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016, a critical time gap that allowed the sports doctor to continue to prey on victims before his arrest.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Pro-Palestinian protests roiling U.S. colleges escalate with arrests, new encampments and closures
The student protests of Israel's war with Hamas that have been creating friction at U.S. universities escalated Tuesday as new encampments sprouted and some colleges encouraged students to stay home and learn online, after dozens of arrests across the country.