Glacier High School student injured in lightning strike released from ICU

A Glacier High School student injured in a lightning strike last month was released from intensive care, according to an online fundraiser for the teenager.

A GoFundMe page created by Maddy Schaefer, the student’s sister, described his improvement in a Sept. 10 update posted to the fundraising page.  

“He continues to make progress every day and we are truly thankful. Ongoing prayer and support are always appreciated. Thank you everybody,” the update read.  

Community donations have amassed over $70,000 to help defray the student’s medical bills and support his family while they remain out of work. 

During an Aug. 19 soccer practice at the Glacier High School athletic fields, a lightning strike injured two students and a coach. While the coach and one of the students were released from Logan Health Medical Center a few days later, the other student, who received CPR on the field, remained in intensive care for weeks.  

Glacier High School Activities Director Mark Dennehy has said that coaches present during the strike followed appropriate protocols as the thunderstorm rolled over the valley. 

The four coaches present directed students toward shelter after the first sight of lightning and waited 45 minutes before returning to practice. The bolt injuring three struck shortly after, prompting swift response from the Kalispell Police Department and other emergency services.