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PoCo man battles paralysis after falling tree smashed truck

A GoFundMe page has been setup for Alex Higden, who has been recovering in hospital since Dec. 20 incident
An avid athlete who played minor hockey and lacrosse in PoCo, he has been diligently following a physiotherapy exercise regimen designed to help him regain balance and build strength in his upper body.

As last month's powerful windstorm began sweeping across the Lower Mainland, Alex Higden was driving a truck back to the Pitt Meadows roofing shop where he works.

It was his last shift before Christmas and the 20-year-old Port Coquitlam man was looking forward to spending some time on a ski holiday at Sasquatch Mountain with his family.

In an instant, everything changed.

As he was driving along Old Dewdney Trunk Road near Hopcott Meats shortly after 4 p.m. Dec. 20, a tree toppled onto his vehicle, smashing the cab of the truck.

Higden was briefly knocked out, regaining consciousness a few seconds later only to realize his truck was still hurtling down the road.

"I was trying to move my foot off the gas pedal and I couldn't move it," he said.

Higden was paralyzed.

The truck eventually came to a stop when it crashed into a ditch.

"I don't even remember," he said. "There were some people yelling… My whole body was in shock."

As Alex Higden was driving down Dewdney Trunk Road near the Hopcott meat store shortly after 4 p.m. on December 20, a tree toppled onto his vehicle, smashing the cab of the truck. "The chance of [a tree] hitting him were one in a billion," said Todd Higden, Alex's dad. "But it happened and here we are." - Submitted Photo

Paramedics were able to pull him out of the truck and quickly got him to Royal Columbian Hospital. He was later transferred to Vancouver General Hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery to remove his C6 vertebrae, fusing his C5 and C7 together.

Four days after the crash, doctors told him he may never walk again.

The last month has been an emotional rollercoaster for Higden and his family.

In a diary he has kept since the crash, Todd Higden, Alex's dad, fluctuates between despondency at what has happened to gratitude that his son is alive.

"The chance of [a tree] hitting him were one in a billion," he told The Tri-City News. "But it happened and here we are."

Alex has been doing his best to keep his spirits up. Christmas and New Year's were difficult, but he said he has been surrounded by people who are rooting for him to get better. "I have tons of support from friends and family," he said. "They have been great." - Submitted Photo

The family has been praying for Higden as he works to get better. An avid athlete who played minor hockey and lacrosse in PoCo, he has been diligently following a physiotherapy exercise regimen designed to help him regain balance and build strength in his upper body.

The next stop in his recovery is the GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre, where he hopes to continue to regain more feeling.

"The good thing is he can move his arms," Todd Higden said. "He may be able to use a push chair. We don't know yet."
Alex has been doing his best to keep his spirits up.

The Christmas season was difficult but he said he has been surrounded by people who are rooting for him to get better.

"I have tons of support from friends and family," he said. "They have been great."

As he progresses in his recovery, he hopes his injury does not keep him from one of his favourite activities: team sports.

Before his accident, Alex Higden (centre) played hockey with the Port Coquitlam Pirates and lacrosse with the Port Coquitlam Saints. He said he is now looking at sledge hockey as a way of staying on the ice. - Submitted Photo

Two former players from the Humboldt Broncos who were left paraplegic after the junior hockey team's devastating bus crash that left 15 dead last year recently reached out to Higden to offer their support and encouragement. They also brought up sledge hockey — a game designed for players with physical disabilities — as a way of keeping active and on the ice if he is unable to get back on his feet.

"That is something I am thinking about," Higden said. "You have to be able to keep your balance on the sledge. We will see."

• A GoFundMe page has been set up for Alex Higden as he continues with his recovery. Those who wish to make a contribution can do so by going to gofundme.com and searching "Make Alex Walk Again," or by clicking here.