Dayton Larson’s life changed forever last month when a devastating motorcycle crash with a car on West Coast Road nearly took his life.
When he was airlifted to hospital on April 27, his heart and lungs were punctured by his broken ribs, causing cardiac arrest. Emergency surgeons gave him just a three per cent chance of survival.
To save his life, the surgeons performed a life-saving procedure – opening his chest to stitch his heart together, then manually restarting it.
Despite all odds, Larson survived.
“We’re amazed that we’re here where we are now,” said Char Larson Dayton’s mother, who travelled from her home in Spruce Grove to be with him as he begins the healing process.
“He's very independent and strong-willed, and he's pushing through this. It's amazing to see just how far he's come in such a short time,” Larson said.
“Even the doctors keep saying it's because he's so strong and independent that he's trying so hard to heal himself, and if it was somebody a lot older than him, they probably wouldn't be here today.”
Following the accident, he spent six days in a coma and 15 days in the ICU.
“He is now continuing his recovery in hospital, facing a long and difficult road ahead – but he is here, and he is fighting,” reads the GoFundMe page.
Now a month removed from the accident, Dayton Larson is out of the ICU and into Royal Jubilee’s surgical unit to continue nursing his injuries. His mother says the hospital hopes to have him moved to Victoria General by the end of the week to continue his rehabilitation. It’s an outcome that was far from certain just a few weeks ago.
“Things are going as well as they can,” said his mother.
“He's healing exceptionally well, actually, better than expected. It was a lot of touch and go at the beginning, but we're feeling a little bit better now that he's kind of in the healing phase and we can all breathe a little bit more.”
However, Dayton Larson did not leave the accident unscathed, and a long and expensive healing process lies ahead.
“To save his life, doctors had to amputate Dayton’s right leg below the knee,” reads the GoFundMe page set up to support his recovery.
“His right arm suffered a severe degloving injury and has undergone multiple surgeries to preserve function, with more still to come.”
In addition to these injuries, Larson sustained a skull fracture, a cervical spine fracture and remains in a neck brace.
Originally from Red Deer, where many of Larson’s family and friends still reside, Dayton Larson now resides in Sooke. When they heard of his accident, his parents and two best friends got on the next plane to Victoria to support his recovery.
Since then, the support from the Sooke community – strangers to Larson’s loved ones – has been palpable.
“I don't really know anyone, but we've had a lot of people reach out personally, you know, just to say they're thinking about him or that they knew him somehow,” said Char Larson.
“It's nice to see complete strangers in the community – to even my son – still wanting to do something, whether it be donate or share or offer help with the dog. It's been great.”
Even local businesses have reached out to offer their support.
“One of the pet stores reached out to offer pet food for my son's dog here that we're looking after. One of the grocery stores, the Western Foods, reached out to offer a gift card for groceries, which has been wonderful.”
Dayton Larson was an avid rider, often working as a motorcycle mechanic. Larson had just attended a training course the weekend of his accident and was involved with the South Island Riders, who his mother said have also connected to offer support.
To support his recovery, the family has established a GoFundMe page to cover medical expenses, along with the cost of travel for the Larson family.
“From medical equipment to home modifications, rehabilitation, travel, and lost income, the financial burden is immense,” reads the GoFundMe page.
“Any contribution—no matter the size—will help ease the pressure on Dayton and his family as they navigate this new reality. Your support means the world and is a vital part of Dayton’s healing journey.”
So far, the family has raised $9,370 from 90 donations. Their goal is to raise $150,000.
To support his recovery, visit The Dayton Larson GoFundMe page.
