Neck guard sales jump after Sask. hockey player slashed by skate
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More adult players are now investing in the protective equipment.
The family of a little boy who’s in hospital after being hit by an alleged impaired driver is speaking out.
Benjamin Dufour was waiting for the school bus with his brother and two other kids on Tuesday last week, according to his family, when a truck came down the street.
Police said just after 8:30 that morning a truck came down the road, hit parked vehicles, crashed into two fences and eventually hit a house on Dunsmore Drive. The truck also hit Ben.
Benjamin Dufour, 7, was hit by a truck June 21 in Regina. The driver is charged with impaired driving. (photo submitted)
According to a statement from his family, emergency personnel and members of the community were “amazing” helping Ben at the scene, and he was taken to hospital by EMS. The family called the ensuing hours traumatic as the boy was stabilized.
Ben was air-lifted to the children’s hospital in Saskatoon to treat his injuries – the family said he has a broken leg, broken arm, broken pelvis, his ribs and sternum are broken as well as fractures in his skull. The boy also has soft tissue damage and damage to his neck. Ben is intubated in hospital and is sedated.
Ben’s parents remain at his side in Saskatoon.
“We know that the recovery process for Ben is very long at the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital. Once he can return to Regina, frequent trips to Saskatoon will be necessary. We have been told that rehab for Ben will be a long and gruelling process,” read their statement.
Ben loves milk and likes to spend his days catching Pokemon with his brother and swimming in his grandma’s pool with his siblings and was a “budding Tiktok star”.
@dufourenjoy
The boy’s family said he loves to play football and was looking forward to learning how to fish and being in football camp this summer. He was also registered for soccer in the fall and continuing other sports in the winter.
“We are heartbroken that Ben will not be able to do any of these things in the near future,” said his family in their statement.
The boy’s grandmother has started a GoFundMe page for people who want to help. As of Monday morning more than $3,000 had been raised of a $75,000 goal.