A popular and highly-skilled cross country athlete remains in intensive care at Primary Children’s Hospital after suffering brain injuries on Aug. 31. Skye Siddoway, a 17-year-old senior at Farmington High, fell 30 feet from a tree she was climbing near Farmington Community Park.

According to a GoFundMe page set up by her uncle Michael McCarty to help with medical expenses, Skye “suffered a traumatic brain injury that includes three brain bleeds, a large hematoma, and a large gash on the back of her head. She was first taken by an ambulance and then life-flighted to Primary Children’s Hospital. After many unsuccessful measures taken by medical staff to stabilize the swelling of her brain, Skye had to have an emergency brain surgery early Monday morning. The surgeon removed a large piece of her skull to help reduce the pressure on her brain.”

The surgery was successful, but her brain pressure continued to fluctuate and she has remained sedated. An MRI also discovered a neck injury below her skull that will require her to wear a neck brace while that heals. As of our press deadline on Wednesday, she remains under constant supervision. The good news is that she has movement in her arms and legs. 

Siddoway is an outstanding cross country and track athlete, holding school records in the 800, 1600 and 3200 meters. Farmington cross country coach Ben Jacobson said prior to the season that “Our girls team is led by senior Skye Siddoway, who finished last track season running 5:00 in the mile and under 11 minutes in the two mile. She finished in the top 5 at the pre-region meet last month.”

Her teammates have rallied around her. At an invitational meet last week, Farmington girls had the words “strong like Skye” written on their backs and arms, and students at the school have held at least one rally on her behalf.

As of Wednesday, a GoFundMe page (https://www.gofundme.com/f/donate-to-skye-siddoways-healing-journey) had raised almost $20,000 from more than 300 donors.

“This accident has turned Skye’s world upside down,” the post reads. “She was being scouted by different colleges for her running prowess. Now, instead of enjoying her senior year of high school, she has a long road of rehabilitation in front of her. She is being raised by her widowed mother, and the expenses stemming from her injuries, including medical and rehabilitation expenses, will be high.”

The City Journal will continue to provide updates of Skye’s rehabilitation.