Injured trooper thanks community

A Bend-area Oregon State Police trooper, seriously injured August 12 when a disabled van with a flat tire slipped off a jack and fell onto him underwent five hours of surgery Saturday at Legacy Emanuel Medical Center in Portland.

Trooper Colin Tracy was to be released Monday, August 22, to return home. Trooper Tracy and his wife, Katie, released the following statement in appreciation for the support they have received:

"Colin has a long recovery ahead of him. His facial and head injuries required him to come to Legacy Emanuel Medical Center in Portland, where the wonderful team of doctors and nurses performed five hours of surgery this past weekend. Doctors placed titanium plates and screws to repair multiple broken facial bones and injuries. He will be released from the hospital Monday to return home where he will continue to recover before doctors determine if he may need additional surgeries.

"We are so very grateful to everyone who helped Colin on the side of the highway after the van fell on him while he was trying to change a flat tire near Sisters. As traumatized as the two women and child were to have witnessed such a horrible thing, they moved in quickly to do what they could to help Colin. Many others stopped to help him before emergency responders got there to take care of him. Saying 'thank you' is all we can do at this time, but please know you are our heroes.

"We also want to thank the men and women of the Oregon State Police for taking us under their wing at the hospital and our home. They have made sure we had the support and help we needed so we could focus on Colin's needs and ongoing medical recovery. In addition, thank you to the local Bend community, the medical staff at St. Charles Medical Center and many others, both friends and strangers, for their cards and words of encouragement."