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Hertzog remains in serious condition

Brandon Johnson

A Craig cowboy injured in a rodeo accident in Hayden during the weekend remains in serious condition at a Denver hospital.

Wes Hertzog, 53, remains unconscious at Denver Health Medical Center after breaking his neck Sunday. Hertzog was riding in the saddle bronc competition at the Routt County Fair and Rodeo when the accident occurred.

Hertzog’s brother, Bill Hertzog, said Tuesday that Wes’ condition had not changed much since he was flown to Denver by Flight For Life on Sunday afternoon.



“He’s about the same as yesterday, maybe a little better,” Bill Hertzog said.

Lynn Ercolani, a public in–for–mation representative for Denver Health Medical Center, said Hertzog was in serious condition Tuesday afternoon.



The hospital reported Monday that Hertzog’s condition had worsened from serious to critical, but Ercolani said Hertzog has been in serious condition since arriving.

Bill Hertzog said doctors are trying to determine what happened to Wes before his fall.

Eyewitness accounts indicate Wes was unconscious before being thrown from the horse and landing on his head.

Bill Hertzog said tests have ruled out a stroke or heart attack, but he said his brother has had heart problems in the past, suffering a heart attack about 18 months ago.

This is not the first time Wes has suffered a broken neck, Bill Hertzog said. In 1976, Wes broke his neck in a truck accident near Roosevelt, Utah.

Bill Hertzog said although his brother hasn’t woken up, he has responded to shouts from family members by moving his legs and squeezing their hands.

“I think he’s trying to wake up,” Bill Hertzog said.

Brandon Johansson can be reached at 824-7031 or bjohansson@craigdailypress.com


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