Crash victim gets community support

We have an update on the victim seriously injured in an horrific crash on Highway 6 earlier this week. While Elyse Leduc is still in hospital in intensive care the 22-year old from Dundas is expected to make a full recovery. But her friends say that could take more than a year.

Friends of Elyse Leduc say the one thing she loves most is her horses. And because it will take her such a long time to heal, the tight-knit horse community is coming together to take care of her animals until she’s well enough to be reunited with them.

After seeing photos of the crash, Alyssa Patcheson says it’s a miracle her friend Elyse Leduc survived Monday’s head on crash on Highway 6: “She has two broken arms, two broken legs. She has a ruptured kidney which she’s already had surgery for, fractured ribs.”

Then Thursday, one of Elyse’s lungs collapsed. She is expected to survive, but it could take at least year for her to fully recover.

Alyssa said: “In the hospital, that’s all she’s been asking for is her horses.”

Patcheson and Leduc met through showing standardbred horses.

Alyssa said: “She was always the girl at the shows that everyone cheered for. She always did amazing. Always kicked everyone’s butt.”

Prada and Peanut mean everything to Elyse. But now that she’s injured, she’ll be unable to take care of them. That’s where her friends come in.

Tiffany Stein is Elyse’s friend: “Just thought maybe I could get people to donate some used tack together and we could raise some money to pay for her horses. Elyse’s horses are her life and they’re costly to keep.”

About 900 dollars per month just for board.

Friend Tiffany Stein has started to collect donations for an auction to help pay for the horse’s care: “I’ve had donations of custom equine artwork, massage therapy, photo shoots, clothing. Some really amazing donations so far.”

The hope is Prada and Peanut will be healthy and waiting for Elyse when she is ready to ride again.

Tiffany said: “She’s a great girl. We’re a pretty tight knit community and I know if this had happened to any of us that she’d do it for us too.”

Patcheson has started a Facebook group called ‘Speedy Recovery for Elyse Leduc.’ She’s collecting well wishes to send to Eylse in a giant card. So far, almost 500 people have contributed.