Surrey man badly hurt in racetrack accident not aware he’s a new father

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Money is being raised to help the family of a Surrey man who’s heavily sedated and in the hospital — a new father who isn’t even aware his baby was born prematurely.

He was badly hurt in an accident on the sidelines of Saratoga Speedway on Vancouver Island last weekend.

Jon Sedman, 41, was helping the family business by setting up a fireworks display.

“All of a sudden, a car lost control on the raceway, flipped over and flipped over the barrier and pinned him,” described his younger sister, Jen Sedman.

“Lucky that the sparks didn’t light any of the fireworks because he was pretty much between the fireworks and the car — squished between all of them.”

Jon was severely hurt.

“He sustained five broken ribs on his left side, as well as a shattered pelvis, injured left hip, ruptured bladder and small brain bleed,” Sedman described.

Jon Sedman and his wife Christa. (Source: gofundme.com/help-saratogo-accident-victim)

Jon, 41, was flown to Vancouver General Hospital. The family rushed to meet him, including his eight-months-pregnant wife.

“As we were waiting, she started to go into labour,” said Sedman.

Jon’s wife was rushed to nearby BC Women’s Hospital, which was full. She was then taken to Langley Memorial Hospital, where she had their son.

“I was there for the birth of the baby,” said Sedman. “I videoed it for Jon.”

Jon Sedman isn’t aware his son was born prematurely. (Source: gofundme.com/help-saratogo-accident-victim)

Jon — on a ventilator — isn’t even aware he’s new father and the family isn’t sure if or when he will be conscious enough to know.

“When I come visit him, I don’t think he recognizes who I am, when he is not sedated,” said Sedman

She understands his recovery could take months.

“He’s going to have a lot of mobility challenges,” said Sedman. “He’s going to be off work for quite awhile. And of course, [his wife] is on her mat leave, so she’s not pulling the money she normally does.”

An online fundraising effort has raised over $14,000 to help the family with his rehab.

“It’s hard to keep it together and try to be strong, as I see him laying there,” said Sedman.

“Yesterday, I was thinking, ‘Wow, look at all this that’s happening — I gotta tell Jon this.’ It was like, ‘Oh. That’s right. I can’t.’ Things like that really hits.”

 – With files from Dean Recksiedler

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