He's gonna die....?!?

I just got a call from friend that skates at the rollerdome. A skater that I have known for the last 4-5 years while skating at the rollerdome took a fall on Wednesday night.

It was upper level only and they were going reverse direction. I normally don't go skating on these nights because I get all mixed up going that fast in the opposite direction. (Especially since there are beginner skaters up on the speed skating level on these nights and things get really chaotic trying to get around safely.)

He was on his 44th lap and his friend (another regular) told him he was gonna do one last fast lap, catch up to him and they would leave. While his friend was gone, a skater accidentally hit his skate and he fell on his back hitting his head hard against the cement floor. He wasn't wearing a helmet.

He was unconscious when they found him. They took him to the hospital where they placed him in a coma. He has been in critical condition since Wednesday and they are talking about pulling him off life support in the next 24 hours if he doesn't pull out of the coma on his own.

I'm not sure what to say about this. Frankly, I'm shocked. I'm flippin' out shocked. I mean, he's the guy with the friendly, "Hello", or the knowing raise of the eyebrow with a slight nod of the head. He's the guy with the friendly chat while we change skates or rest on the side.

He's a staple at the dome. He's been there ever since I can remember. He is there every night I'm there. He one of the few regulars that skates on the lower level. He wears the orange shirt that hangs low on his shorts. You know, the guy with the tan legs, glasses and that friendly smile....