A Ketchum man is in critical condition with third-degree burns over 50 percent of his body after falling into a bonfire pit near Stanley in the early morning hours of Thursday, July 14.
Michael Goodrich, Jr., 31, apparently tripped and fell into the pit, which is four feet wide and five feet deep, at about 5:30 a.m., according to his girlfriend, Kate Merrick.
Speaking over a cell phone from the University of Utah Medical Center's burn unit, where Goodrich is receiving treatment, Merrick said details regarding the cause of the accident remain sketchy.
"He was asleep next to the bonfire pit and he was the only one outside, so no one knows for sure what happened," she said, acknowledging that Goodrich had been drinking earlier that night. "We're assuming he must have gotten up to go to the bathroom and he tripped over something, fell backwards into the fire pit, hit his head and had to climb out."
His friends didn't discover him until about 6:30 a.m., and an ambulance arrived a half-hour later, Merrick said. At 8 a.m., Goodrich was loaded on a LifeFlight helicopter at Smiley Creek and transported to Boise. He was eventually flown by jet to Salt Lake City, where he arrived at about noon.
During the flight, Goodrich's heart stopped at least three times, Merrick said.
"It was not good," she said.
Merrick, who also lives in Ketchum but was in San Diego when the accident occurred, said it is not known how long Goodrich was stuck in the pit and exposed to the hot coals.
Goodrich was in a chemically induced coma on Tuesday to prevent him from moving around and causing damage to surgically repaired skin, according to Merrick.
"He's in a lot of pain and they're preparing him for the next big surgery," she said.
He's already had surgery performed on his right leg, back and right arm, she added.
Third-degree burns are the most severe since they burn all of the skin's layers.
"He has burns on his back and butt and his right arm and right leg have very extensive, very deep burns," Merrick said, adding that Goodrich is at risk of losing his right foot and fingers on his right hand. Goodrich hosts an open-microphone event at the Kasino Club in Stanley on Wednesday nights. After leaving the Kasino last Wednesday, Merrick said Goodrich went to the bonfire with about five friends and eventually fell asleep outside.
Goodrich most recently worked at Felix's Restaurant in Ketchum and as a raft guide for The River Company, located in Stanley. He also plays guitar for Staggering Home, a local band.
Goodrich moved to Ketchum from San Diego last year, but had relatives and several friends in the area.
"He's passionate about music and he's a really well-liked guy," said friend and fellow band member Jantzen Matzdorff. "I can't believe how many people knew him (in Stanley)."
Matzdorff and friends are in the midst of organizing a fund-raiser for Goodrich, who does not have health insurance. On Monday morning, Matzdorff opened a donation account at Bank of America in Ketchum and Hailey.
"The reason you're getting a lot of people helping out is because (Goodrich) always helped out his friends," Matzdorff said.
Merrick said Goodrich is expected to remain in critical condition for another 45 to 60 days and will then undergo six to eight months of physical therapy. His family has traveled to Salt Lake City from California and Idaho.
"I'm going to be here for him 100 percent ... but without any insurance, it's a pretty catastrophic event," Merrick said, adding that she has had to leave her jobs at The Roosevelt Tavern and Ketchum Grill and will remain in Salt Lake City with Goodrich until he's recovered.
"There's an incredible amount of gratitude from myself and his family for the financial support," she said. "We all need to be there for him with support and love so he can fight through this, survive and be strong."
Matzdorff and the rest of Staggering Home will play a benefit for Goodrich at the Kasino Club on Friday night. A larger fund-raiser is in the planning stages.
