Dirt Bike Community Rallies Around Local Family After 8-Year-Old Boy Airlifted To Sick Kids

Nixon Parsons, 8, of Peterborough suffered a bad dirt bike accident at Burnt River Off Road Facility on Saturday.

Community, friends and family are rallying around the Parsons family to see them through this trying time.

According to Kieran Gillooly, family friend and member at Burnt River, Parsons, his brother and dad are regular riders and Burnt River members. His mom and baby sister can often be found cheering on the sidelines.

On Saturday, Parsons was air lifted to sick kids in critical condition, where he has had multiple CT scans and MRI’s. His neurology team is focusing on his brain.

Parsons suffered small contusions on his brain, some swelling and bruising. On Sunday hospital staff started to bring him off his medication. Gillooly says he is moving all limbs, ‘but only flickers in his left hand’.

Doctors and nurses are monitoring brain activity for brain seizures.

He has also suffered a broken nasal cavity, broken orbital bones and has lost many of his teeth.

As of Monday, Parsons has undergone surgery to close gashes around his mouth. That surgery will be followed by stitching in his mouth to help close a hole in his pallet and to try and reattach pieces of his gum. He will also need to undergo facial bone surgery.

In a Facebook post on Tuesday, Parsons mother let friends and family know that surgery went well.

According to Gillooly, Parsons is still using a breathing tube and is responding to his parents touches with small movements of his body.

“Our entire dirt bike community is feeling the heart ache for Nixon and his family,” said Gillooly in a social media post. “It is a parents worst nightmare come true.”

Parsons’ parents, Jake and Bennica, are by his side constantly, though the hospital only allows one parent from 9 p.m. - 6 a.m. Bennica and Parsons’ 5-month-old sister have been staying in a hotel.

To help lessen the financial strain, Gillooley asks those that are willing and able to send e-transfers directly to Parsons’ mom at bennicabrown@outlook.com. Funds will be automatically deposited and used for hotels, food and to keep up with bills at home.

“Nixon is only eight years old and is battling the biggest race right now and needs everyone’s prayers and to cheer him on,” wrote Gillooly. “He is the toughest kid I have ever met, and his continued forward progress shows just how much of a fighter he is.”

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Kayaking Duo Going Over Fenelon Falls Captured On Film

Two kayakers put on an unexpected show going over Fenelon Falls for restaurant diners that were caught on film on Monday.

One of two unknown kayakers going over Fenelon Falls. Screenshot.

The film was shot by Peter Witt while dining with his wife and another couple, getting a free show with their meal at a nearby restaurant.

The kayakers went one after another where the onlooking patrons said, “They’re going the wrong side,” or “Are they actually going over the Falls?” before taking the plunge.

The kayakers went over the Falls without apparent injury as they were met with cheers after hitting the bottom. It is unknown if the kayakers intended on riding the Falls but appeared to be experienced and did not show signs of panic.

“I’ve never seen anything like that before.”

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Stuff to do in the Patch This Weekend...

Looking for something to do in Peterborough this loooooooong weekend?

Friday

- Mustang Drive-In (Opens at 8:15 p.m. - Ticket Prices) - what's playing

Saturday

- Otter Feeding (1:30 p.m. - Free) Peterborough Zoo

- Mustang Drive-In  (Opens at 8:15 p.m. - Ticket Prices) - what's playing

Sunday

- Pioneer Corn Roast (10 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Adults $10, Student/Senior $9, Youth (5-14) $6 Under 5 free, Family $30 (includes 2 adults & 4 youth)) Lang Pioneer Village

- Kawartha Arts Festival (10 a.m. to 5 p.m. - Free) Fenelon Falls

- Otter Feeding (1:30 p.m. - Free) Peterborough Zoo

- Mustang Drive-In (Opens at 8:15 p.m. - Ticket Prices) - what's playing

Monday (Labour Day)

- Here is what is opened and closed.

- Otter Feeding (1:30 p.m. - Free) Peterborough Zoo

- GAME 7!!! Peterborough Lakers vs Brampton Excelsiors (7 p.m. - Adults $16, Seniors/Students $10.50, Children $3) Memorial Centre

- Mustang Drive-In (Opens at 8:15 p.m. - Ticket Prices) - what's playing

...Looks to be a rainy weekend, better rent a few flicks!

To submit info for "Stuff to do in the Patch this weekend", email evan@ptbocanada.com. Follow us on Twitter @Ptbo_Canada.