An account has been established to assist a Craig cowboy injured in a rodeo accident in Hayden.

Wes Hertzog, 53, broke his neck Sunday when he was thrown from a horse during the saddle bronc competition at the Routt County Fair and Rodeo.

He is in serious condition at Denver Health Medical Center.

Three Craig residents –Trini Riley, Lori Foster and Nick Bomba — set up an account Tuesday in Hertzog’s name at Moffat County National Bank in Craig.

Riley said she was sad and surprised by Hertzog’s injury.

Riley’s father, Dave Pleasant, competed in rodeos with Hertzog when they were younger, Riley said.

Jennifer Albert, operations manager for Moffat County National Bank, said people can make checks payable to Hertzog or his family and drop them off at the bank, 435 Mack Lane in Craig.

Albert said the bank already had received calls from people wanting to contribute to the Hertzog family.

Hertzog’s wife, Becky Hertzog, said the community support is appreciated.

“The outpouring of support from the community has just been un–believable,” Becky said. “It shows how lucky we are to live in Craig.”

Becky is at the hospital in Denver with Wes along with Wes’ friend Harry Virden.

Virden, who used to compete with Hertzog, said Hertzog’s condition worsened some Wednesday.

“He’s not doing real well,” Virden said.

Swelling around Hertzog’s brain was expected to peak Wednesday, Virden said, making him less responsive.

An MRI Tuesday showed Hertzog’s spinal cord was partially severed, but Virden said doctors didn’t know what paralysis, if any, Hertzog might suffer long-term.

Virden, who is from Craig originally but lives in Sheridan, Wyo., said Hertzog was planning to retire from rodeo soon.

For more about donating to Hertzog, go to the bank or call Riley at 824-6526 or Foster at 826-0747.