64-year-old Rose Nicklas was in a serious ski accident on Jan. 3 at Grand Targhee Resort in Wyoming and her family is hoping justice is brought to the person responsible. East Idaho News reports spoke with Rose’s husband Mike Nicklas who was skiing with Rose at the time of the accident. He says Rose was on her last run of the day skiing an easy trail below the Rock Garden area around 3 p.m. when skier suddenly came out of nowhere in a “tuck” racing position and struck Rose. 

“A skier came over the tail of my skis at a high speed and did not attempt to turn, slow or stop and slammed into my wife 20 or 25 feet in front of me, and hit her from behind.” –Mike Nicklas

Mike saw and heard the ski collision. He said the collision picked up his wife and threw her about 20 to 25 feet in the air.

“I could see that she had a badly broken leg, it was in a weird grotesque angle.” 

Ski patrol was on scene within minutes and several good Samaritan skiers helped Rose. Mike saw the skier who struck Rose close by:

“I went over and saw the skier. He had not been injured. He was getting up. At no time did he offer assistance to my wife and no apologies and (he was) not remorseful.” 

Rose was airlifted to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center. Mike was under the impression her worst injury was to her leg but received a call from an ER doctor while driving to meet her at the hospital: 

“He listed all the life-threatening injuries that she had and wanted permission to do emergency surgery right away. She had a pulmonary contusion, she had a collapsed lung, lacerated liver. It was devastating and when we found that out, all I could do was come to the emergency room. We had no idea. We thought it was a severely broken leg and then there were all these life-threatening injuries.”

According to a GoFundMe created by Mike and Rose’s daughters, Danielle and Nicole Nicklas: “Mom’s life-threatening injuries include…a broken scapula, multiple broken ribs, shattered tibia and fibula, broken wrist, and possible concussion.” Mike estimates medical costs to be anywhere from $500,000 to $1.5 million.  The GoFundMe has $84,206 in donations so far.

Rose is still recovering at the hospital and is tentatively set to be released in two weeks. The Teton County Sheriff’s Office is currently involved and investigating the case. A spokesman with the Teton County Sheriff’s Office told EastIdahoNews.com they know who caused the collision but so far no criminal charges have been filed and no name has been released.

“Of course, we want justice for Rose, for all the pain and suffering that she is going through right now. We have full trust and confidence that the Teton County Sheriff’s Office is conducting a thorough investigation. We want (the skier) to be accountable for his actions.” –Mike Nicholas

We will be sure to update this story as more information becomes available and we wish Rose a speedy recovery. If you would like to contribute to Rose’s medical fund, please do so HERE.

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