Michigan safari park worker, 27, is fighting for his life in the ICU after being ‘knocked off ladder by a GIRAFFE’ causing traumatic brain injury
- The incident happened at Deer Tracks Junction Adventure Park
- Tyler Powell was working his way up a ladder when he fell off on April 19
- He is in the ICU with a traumatic brain injury
A 27-year-old zoo worker is in intensive care with a traumatic brain injury after officers say a giraffe knocked him off a ladder while he was working in an enclosed area.
The incident happened on April 19 at Deer Tracks Junction Adventure Park.
The park identified the man as 27-year-old Tyler Powell and the The Kent County Sheriff’s Office told WTSP that Powell was on a six-foot ladder in the giraffe enclosure when the animal hit the ladder, causing him to fall.
The park later disputed the police statement, saying there was no giraffe in the enclosure.
Powell was rushed to hospital with serious injuries and remains in intensive care with a traumatic brain injury.
The park identified the man as 27-year-old Tyler Powell
The Kent County Sheriff’s Office told WTSP that Powell was standing on a 6-foot ladder in the giraffe enclosure when the animal hit the ladder, causing him to fall.
Tyler’s father, Kelly Powell, who also owns Deer Tracks Junction, told News 8: ‘We were busy renovating the stable before the animals went back in. I stand there. … It happened so quickly.”
However, so does he told 13 ON YOUR SIDE that there were no animals in the enclosure at the time of the fall and that it had not been toppled over by a giraffe.
The park shared one GoFundMe for Powell’s medical bills on Facebook.
They said, “We are reaching out to our community for prayers. Tyler, a son, father, husband and a vital part of this company, was in an accident on Friday, April 19.
‘He is in critical condition in the ICU with a TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury). We live in a world full of unknowns and we ask all of you for prayers. Pray for healing and strength for Tyler.
The park shared a GoFundMe for Powell’s medical bills on Facebook
“There are no words to describe how we feel and how grateful we are for this supportive community. If you would all join us in praying for Tyler, we would be so grateful.
“We would like to take a moment to thank the Courtland Fire Department, Rockford Ambulance, the Kent County Sheriff’s Department, all the staff here at Corewell Hospital and everyone in between who have helped Tyler during this time. Thank you so much.’
They later shared a message from Tyler’s mother, saying, “We knew this was a long road and we knew it was going to be a roller coaster. All of us, including the doctors, are on God’s timeline.
‘We can’t rush it. So today we thank God for a good night for Tyler, stable numbers, and pray for another day of peace and stability.”