Dad fighting for his life after freak accident in the USA suffered horrific injuries including a crushed pelvis and broken back

A dad-of-two was left fighting for his life in an American hospital after a freak accident  during a blizzard.
Alex Brown at the Westerly Medical Centre in Wichita, KansasAlex Brown at the Westerly Medical Centre in Wichita, Kansas
Alex Brown at the Westerly Medical Centre in Wichita, Kansas

Alex Brown staggered from the wreckage of his Subaru hatchback after a head-on crash with another vehicle in Wichita, Kansas.

Seconds later, he was struck by his own car when another vehicle smashed into the back of it, sending him flying.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Mr Brown, 37, formerly Belvedere Road, Thornton, suffered horrific injuries, including a broken back, multiple fractures, shattered teeth and a crushed pelvis.

Alex Brown with his childrenAlex Brown with his children
Alex Brown with his children

He also lost a kidney and damaged the other and will need a transplant in the months to come.

This week he was moved from intensive care but needs dialysis several times a week.

The accident happened as Mr Brown was taking his two children back to his estranged wife after celebrating thanks-giving with them.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

On the day of the accident, the state was experiencing some of its worst winter weather for years, including freezing conditions and blizzards.

The youngsters – son Parker, seven, and daughter Sammy, eight – were left with minor injuries.

However, Sammy was left traumatised after seeing her father mowed down and watched helpless as medics fought to save his life at the roadside.

Mr Brown’s life was saved by two off-duty doctors who happened to be driving the same route on November 25.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The former Millfield High School pupil has lived in the USA since 2011. He moved to be near his children after the marriage to his American wife broke down.

Now his family have launched a gofundme page in a bid to raise £10,000 to help pay for his medical bills.

Although Mr Brown has medical insurance cover, it will not pay for all the care he requires.

His sister Nicole Konig-Brown, who runs a cleaning company in Thornton, said: “We have all been left devastated by what has happened to Alex.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“He is a wonderful brother and a lovely man. His children are everything to him – that’s why he lives in the states, to be able to see them regularly.

“He works as a long-distance haulage driver for a brewery supplies company in Kansas.

“He will need extensive physiotherapy and other treatment once he leaves hospital and we are appealing for people to help us raise the money to allow him to recover properly.

“His injuries have been described as ‘life-changing and ‘life-limiting’. He will never be the same again and we are worried sick about him.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We feel so helpless, being so far away. I am flying out on Boxing Day to see him in hospital and I cannot wait.

“I’ve spoken to him on the phone, but he is on so much medication for his pain that he couldn’t speak to me properly.

“Thankfully, he has amazing friends in America who are with him round-the-clock. Any donation will go towards ensuring the bills are paid so he doesn’t lose his home. It is hard being away, we feel so helpless.

“I appreciate that at this time of year people don’t have a lot to spare, but you never see anything like this happening, especially at Christmas time. The cost of healthcare in America is such that Alex will need extra help with the months and years of recovery which he has ahead of him.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“He was so lucky the doctors were at the scene. There is no doubt they pulled him back from the brink of certain death and we will always be eternally grateful for what they did for Alex .”

Mr Brown’s parents, Chris, 72, and Monika, 69, of Balmoral Place, Thornton, are unable to fly out because Monika has recently had surgery herself.

Mr Brown was employed at Fleetwood’s Freeport, now Affinity Lancashire, where he worked as manager of Menswear shop Ciro Citterio.