A GoFundMe page has been launched for a Port Coquitlam man who survived a night in the icy wilderness after he struck a deer on the way to an out-of-town job last month.
Terry Vecchiola was driving in a rural part of B.C. when the collision happened. In a state of shock and not dressed for the weather, his family says he climbed out of the window of his vehicle, and chased after the deer to see if it was alright.
“Out of breath and dead tired, Terry laid down to rest and fell asleep in the snow in sub-zero cold,” Laura Vincent, a family member, wrote on the GoFundMe page. “By the time he awoke, his feet were frozen solid and he was afraid he would lose them.”
According to the family, Vecchiola was found a day after the crash and transported to hospital, where doctors were able to save his feet.
However, they discovered some internal injuries and he may require heart surgery.
Vincent said Vecchiola had been a patient at St. Paul’s Hospital until this week. Now, the family is waiting word from his cardiology team to determine the next steps.
“Sadly, this storm is still brewing for us,” said Norma Vecchiola, Terry’s wife. “Terry is awaiting heart surgery and the biggest fight of his life. Without you all at our side, we can have hope that we will and can get through this.”
Vincent said the family has been reticent to ask the community for help, but she noted that the incident comes as Vecchiola and his family were in the middle of moving out of their old house.
“Talk about a run of bad luck,” Vincent said. “It’s unlikely he’ll ever work again, or at least not for a long time, so they are in dire need of funds to them through this ordeal.”
As of Wednesday afternoon, more than $3,000 had been donated to the family through the GoFundMe page. Those who wish to donate can do so here.
