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A GoFundMe page has been set up to help with medical expenses for a BMX racer from Maryland who was seriously injured in a wreck at the USA BMX Blue Ridge National Race at the Virginia Horse Center last Friday.
Mike Schwartz, 66, the owner of a bike shop in St. Mary’s County, broke his neck in three places.
Schwartz’s sister, Eleanor Schwartz, was quoted in an article in The BayNet online publication as saying that he clipped the back of another racer’s tire after coming out of the gate during a race, causing him to flip over his handlebars and land on his neck.
Schwartz was flown to the Carilion trauma center in Roanoke, where he underwent surgery Saturday to place hardware to stabilize his neck. While doctors believe he will make a full recovery, his BMX career is over, according to the GoFundMe page set up by Greg Wheeler and the family. He may still be able to play volleyball, his second favorite sport, one day, wrote Wheeler. He remains in ICU in Roanoke.
The article in The BayNet noted that Schwartz, who has been racing for 26 years, has done much for his community over the years. His “Mike’s Food Fund” has donated meals to families in need for the holidays since 1983.
“Eleanor wants to let everyone know that Mike is grateful for the outpouring of love and care over the past few days,” the article states. “He is especially grateful for the EMTs and the doctors that saved his life, along with the crew at the race track that assisted him following the crash.”
