Local logger recovering after workplace injury

Local logger Kevin Riley was recently injured in a workplace accident up near Kalispell.

The now Plains local was airlifted by Two Bear Air to Kalispell Regional Medical Center last Monday, July 23, according to social media posts from family and friends.

Riley suffered a serious head injury that required emergency surgery. According to one of two fundraising pages set up for Riley (customlink-shirts), he has a long road to recovery with still multiple injuries that may require further surgery, and several months of therapy and pain management.

Not only are friends and family rallying behind the #Kevin_Strong T-shirts through custom link, there is a GoFundMe page set up in Riley’s name.

In the description it states that Riley is expected to make a solid recovery, but are asking for any donations to help aid with medical expenses. Though the actual costs are not yet tallied of what is needed, the page states that should there be more than expected in donations (that are used) the family and Riley will donate all excess funds to the Two Bear Helicopter Team as well as the Alert Helicopter Rescue Team. They were instrumental in Riley getting medical assistance as quickly as he did.

As of Monday morning, the GoFundMe campaign for Riley had reached $4,240 of the asking $10,000 goal.

The former outfitter/guide is said to be doing well with his recovery, but will have a long road ahead. Though with the support that has been seen through social media from those that know him, he shows to have plenty of loving support — not just from family but from the community in and around Plains.

Riley’s brother Cliff said that a doctor from the Craig Institute in Denver, Colo., was going to travel to Kalispell to assess Riley’s injuries, and the family expects him to be transported to Colorado for further treatment.

On Monday, Cliff Riley said that family and friends have been by his brother’s side nearly every day.

“My wife Lindsey and brother Bennett along with our mom are still with Kevin. At this stage it looks like mom will stay with him, but his work crew has also visited him every day,” said Cliff.

“There will be not only physical therapy that Kevin has to work with but also some speech and occupational therapies as well as part of his recovery,” he added.

Cliff also explained that Riley’s injuries included several skull fractures and emergency surgery was required to relieve pressure on his brain due to an epidermal hematoma that was a result from the accident.

“The support received so far from everyone is really appreciated from not just our family but Kevin as well. He is still going through the motions of recovery, but our family with him are keeping him updated of the support he is getting,” explained Cliff Riley.

Family members have expressed their gratitude to those who have been able to donate, and for those that can’t their prayers and thoughts are said to be just as important to them all.

Those who wish to help can find Riley’s fundraiser campaigns online at https://www.gofundme.com/kevin-c-riley or https://www.customink.com/fundraising/kevin_strong.