The young boy who was seriously injured while playing a baseball game for Bath High School has passed away after spending two weeks in the hospital.
As per tragic reports, Cooper Gardner sustained his injury on April 21 after colliding with the runner he was trying to tag out. As a result of the “freak accident”, Cooper was knocked unconscious for 40 minutes.
The boy was transported to a nearby hospital, having sustained a traumatic brain injury and suffered heart and lung complications.
Cooper underwent several scans and tests to discern the extent of his injuries, and remained in the PICU for six days. After that, he was moved to a regular room on April 28, and for a time it was believed he would make a recovery – though he would need physical, occupational, and speech therapy.
A GoFundMe page was established to help his parents pay for his medical bills, and it was through this page that the unexpected news of Cooper’s passing was made known.
Elizabeth Milne, who created the fundraiser, wrote: “It is with a very heavy heart I am letting everyone know that Cooper expectedly passed away Sunday morning at his home.”
Junior Varsity Coach Michael Collins described Cooper as an intelligent young boy. “If you had a bad day, you could go to practice and see his smiling face, and all is right in the world.”
As for the accident, Collins said that he had never witnessed anything like it before.
On behalf of his family, his parents Christy and Kris, and his sister Kalleigh, Milne urged people to donate towards his funeral expenses.
Rest in peace, Cooper Gardner. All our thoughts and prayers are with his grieving family at this time.
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