Lightning strike victim remains hospitalized

CARIBOU – Steven Crowley, the Caribou teenager who was struck by lighting Feb. 23 while sledding with friends at the Caribou Country Club, was listed Friday in serious condition at Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor.

Crowley, 15, was knocked unconscious by the lightning bolt as he stood at the top of a hill with friends Morgan Bossie and Lauren McElwain, both 16, of Caribou. A bystander performed CPR on Crowley until Caribou paramedics arrived and resuscitated the teenager.

The lightning also shocked Bossie and McElwain, as well as Tyler Lancaster, 16, also of Caribou, another friend, who was standing at the bottom of the hill about 50 feet away. They were less seriously injured.

A Web site has been set up where friends can get regular updates on Crowley’s condition. Information is available at www.caringbridge.org/me/stevencrowley.org/.

As of Friday, the site had received more than 17,000 hits.

Members of the Crowley family have been posting daily updates on the site.

According to information posted through Thursday, Crowley is semi-conscious and breathing better, although he is on oxygen. It also noted that he is undergoing tests to determine the extent of his injuries from the lightning strike.