Many of you are aware of the tragic event that transpired on July 24, 2008 when our 11-year-old Bridger was critically injured by shrapnel from an explosion created by a homemade metal firework device. Bridger was riding his bike with two cousins around his step-grandparent’s neighborhood in Lehi, Utah. They came around a corner and were approximately 30 feet away from a neighbor lighting homemade fireworks in the middle of the street when the device accidently exploded. In Bridger’s words, “I didn’t make it.” This tragic event has affected many people in Utah and touched the hearts of many across the country.

Read news reporting on the incident.
Read Bridger's account of what he remembers.

Bridger’s life was spared by the quick thinking and life-saving efforts of neighbors, paramedics and his step-grandma, Betty Shaw, who insisted LIFEFLIGHT take him directly to Primary Children’s Hospital. The miraculous work of the highly skilled team of emergency doctors and surgeons made sure he survived. Bridger’s injuries from the 8" x 11" piece of sheet metal ripping through his young body have been extensive and severe. Doctors compared them to injuries seen on soldiers hit by roadside bombs in Iraq, but not seen on a little boy. Shrapnel obliterated bones in Bridger’s left hip, pelvis, hip joint, and upper left leg. A flap of skin from his buttocks attached his left leg to his body. Shrapnel tore through his abdomen, intestines, colon & bladder, severed a 6-inch section of his femoral artery and femoral nerve, and lacerated a portion of his femoral vein. A dinner-plate-size section of skin, muscle and tissue was torn away from his torso, just below his ribs down to his upper thigh and from just to the left of his navel around to his back. He also received 2nd degree burns on his leg and foot and has since developed blood clots in his lungs and arms. Though his body will never be the same, we know Bridger will recover and live a full and inspiring life. He has a long road ahead of him with surgeries, physical therapy and rehabilitation but we believe he is up to the challenge and he’ll continue to inspire and amaze us!

 

Bridger says: "Thank you for your prayers."  "This is really crazy that everybody is paying this much attention to me."

 

As a family, we would like to deeply express our sincere gratitude to our extended family, dear friends, neighbors and the entire community who have helped support Bridger, Mindy (Bridger’s mom) and all of us through this tragedy. The outpouring of love, kindness and generosity has been overwhelming and truly carried us through very dark and difficult days. Countless prayers have been offered on Bridger’s behalf and countless prayers have been answered! Through great sadness can also come great joy. While the events on July 24th have been devastating, we have witnessed true miracles and experienced many beautiful blessings throughout this ordeal. Please, continue to keep Bridger in your prayers.

 

Donations can be made directly through PayPal, or at any Zions Bank or Central Bank branches in the name of Bridger Nathaniel Hunt.