Community rallies around young Inkom man after UTV crash

INKOM — Family and friends are rallying around Wyatt Christensen, a young Inkom man who has spent the past month fighting his way back from a bad crash, and are inviting the community to join in.

A cornhole tournament fundraiser, Tosses for Wyatt, will be held Saturday, Aug. 22, to help Christensen and his family with medical expenses, travel, lodging and other costs associated with his ongoing recovery.

According to Macy Smith, a longtime friend and spokesperson for the family, the 20-year-old suffered a life-threatening medical emergency on July 11 after a side-by-side crash in the Toponce area.

He was initially transported to the hospital in Soda Springs, where medical personnel discovered his blood pressure was critically low. He was then transferred to Portneuf Medical Center in Pocatello.

Doctors at PMC determined there was a serious problem with Wyatt’s heart that required immediate intervention. According to his family, transferring him by air to Salt Lake City at that point was considered too dangerous, leaving doctors at Portneuf to perform emergency surgery.

The operation lasted about eight hours and involved a large team of surgeons and other medical professionals. Doctors discovered Wyatt had suffered a heart attack and that a coronary artery had become completely detached at the base of his heart.

An Impella heart pump was placed to help circulate his blood because the right side of his heart was not functioning. Severe swelling prevented surgeons from closing his chest following the operation.

Wyatt subsequently developed kidney failure and underwent a second surgery. Once his condition stabilized enough for transport, he was flown to Salt Lake City for specialized treatment.

Additional testing revealed further complications, including evidence of three strokes, problems with his aortic valve and a laceration to his spleen. Surgeons replaced the temporary heart-support device with a left ventricular assist device to help pump blood through his body.

Wyatt was also placed on dialysis to support his kidneys and help reduce fluid and swelling.

Despite the severity of his condition, his family has reported encouraging developments.

“He is up walking and is doing really well,” Smith said.

However, Wyatt still has a long road of recovery ahead. Smith said his family and friends are inviting the community to come together for a day of fun while helping ease some of the financial burden.

How to help

Tosses for Wyatt will be held Saturday, Aug. 22, at 10588 Fairground Drive in Pocatello, Building B at the Elk Stage. Team registration begins at 3:30 p.m., and the cost is $60 per team.

In addition to the cornhole tournament, the fundraiser will include bounce houses, raffle drawings, kids’ activities, a silent auction, pulled pork dinner and live music.

“This is going to be a really fun event,” Smith said. “People really went out of their way to donate some great raffle prizes, food, drinks and other things. We are so grateful for everyone’s support and generosity.”

Those unable to attend can support the family through donations or by sharing information about the fundraiser. Organizers are still accepting items for the silent auction or raffle as well as services that can be donated.

Additional information about the tournament and ways to help can be found on the accompanying event flyer or by calling/texting (Macy) Smith at (208) 880-5821.