March 18, 2019 – Former Canadian National team rider and renowned trail builder, Matt Hadley, has undergone surgery after he was hit by a rock fall in Moab, Utah last Wednesday. Hadley’s right leg was amputated above the knee after it suffered severe trauma from the incident. Hadley also suffered numerous displaced bones in his hand and damage to his kidneys.
“As many of you have now heard Matt was struck by a rock while he and I were out hiking just outside of Moab. He suffered severe trauma to his right leg and hand in what was a very lucky, unlucky accident. Wrong spot at the wrong time for sure but somehow that rock managed to miss his head and abdominal area. Unfortunately it did a number to his leg, initially he had a femoral artery graft and below the knee amputation, however there was too much trauma from the crush injury and a second surgery progressed the amputation to above the knee at the site of his femur fracture, time will tell but the hope is the remaining tissues will survive and no further progression needed. He has a kidney injury but is holding strong as well as several displaced bones in his hand that will in time be realigned. The medical staff keeps saying how strong his heart and lung are, I’ve always known he has a heart of gold and lungs of steel. They can’t believe how strong and healthy he is, and we all know Matt is a fighter which is all helping him right now.”
Hadley, a New Brunswick native, started competing in mountain bike races at the age of 14, and quickly progressed onto the Canadian National XC mountain bike team in the following years. Having grown up building mountain bike trails in his area, Hadley received a full-time position building and maintaining the trails at the Canmore Nordic Centre in 2011 after doing some volunteer work on their race courses. Shifting his focus to professional trail building, Hadley has helped with numerous projects around the country including the High Rockies Trail in Spray Lakes and Peter Lougheed Provincial Parks.
Although the medical costs will be covered by insurance, a donation page has been made to help cover some of the future expenses that Hadley will require. Our thoughts are with Matt and Catherine.
Donate here.