Global Rescue evacuates U.S. Ski Team racer after crash

Global Rescue has medically evacuated injured U.S Ski Team downhiller TJ Lanning from Calgary, Alberta, to Vail, Colorado, after a crash that left the skier with a dislocated knee and a fractured vertebra in his neck. Lanning was transported to Vail by a medically equipped Learjet.

The Olympic hopeful caught an edge in the opening downhill and fell face-first before  tumbling several times into the netting lining the trail. The crash occurred in the fastest section of the course where skiers have been clocked at speeds in excess of 60 miles per hour.

He was airlifted off of the mountain and taken to the Foothills Medical Center, where he was diagnosed with a fractured C5 vertebra and a dislocated patella.  Lanning elected to recover at the Vail Valley Medical Center.Global Rescue is the official medical evacuation provider for the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Teams.