A Mount Timothy Ski Area employee remains in serious condition in a Kelowna hospital after both his arms were severely damaged while working on a conveyer belt at the ski hill.
Dylan Pilgrim, 23, of Williams Lake is the maintenance manager at Mount Timothy and was working on the bunny hill's magic carpet on Wednesday, Jan. 18, when the incident occurred.
"His co-worker had gone to get a tool and they had just started the magic carpet back up," his fiancé's mother Michelle Obre told the Tribune Monday. "Dylan slipped and his left arm got sucked in. He tried to free his left arm with his right arm and it got caught too."
When Pilgrim's coworker returned to the scene, he freed Pilgrim from the conveyer belt.
Michelle said Pilgrim was alert and awake, and even walked away from the scene, before he lay down to wait for the air ambulance to arrive.
He was airlifted to Kamloops and then transferred by ambulance to Kelowna on Thursday.
So far Pilgrim has had two operations to try and repair extensive muscle and nerve damage and is expected to undergo another operation either Tuesday or Wednesday, Michelle said.
Michelle noted her daughter Sara and Pilgrim are expecting a baby in two months and had just rented a trailer at 150 Mile House.
And the day before Pilgrim's accident, Sarah had gone on medical leave because of her pregnancy.
"We are going to try and keep them in the trailer because of the baby coming," Michelle said. "And it is a good layout for Dylan because it is all one level."
Pilgrim, who is normally very active is having a hard time, Michelle added.
A GoFundMe account has been set up to help the family with travel, accommodation and food and any medical costs.
WorkSafeBC confirmed Friday it is investigating the incident and an inspection report will be available some time this week.