Prince Friso in Critical Condition Following Skiing Accident: February 17, 2012

[Kataryn]

Originally Posted by gerry

Yes, accidents happen, but as a family man you should avoid undue risk.

That's my opinion also. For our son I gave up driving motorcycles (though I still have the licence) and my husband stopped flying sailing planes. That was the bargain for the sake of the little boy - who is now grown-up and himself member of a rescue team after training besides school and apprenticeship since he was 14 to become a qualified and examinated paramedic, firefighter and rescue swimmer.

So I know both sides: the fun to be had in freshly-fallen snow and the stricken faces of the family of the victim of an accident. And always the knowledge that when our rescue team is called out they might not all come back as the mountains are tricky and potentially dangerous to the rescuers as well.

But then it's a matter of character. Or is it a bit of "second son" syndrome?
Were there other princes with a secret love for high risks? Carl Philip and racing comes to mind, Harry the apache pilot, Andrew the pilot hero of the Falklands...

[LadyK]

Just a warning- this thread will not turn into a discussion of Dutch Laws, Euthanasia, or Sunny von Bulow.

Also, any requests for to close this thread should be addressed in a PM to the Dutch Mods, not in the thread. Further posts about this will be deleted.

[RubyPrincess168]

Friso's friend survived because he was wearing an Avalanche Airbag safety device. Do we know if Friso was wearing one and couldn't get it deployed, or went out without one?

[Bristol]

Originally Posted by Meraude

As Austria, the Netherlands and U.K. are all part of the European Union and prince Friso have a job and pay taxes, he and his family is most likely covered by the British National Health Service (and perhaps also have a private insurance) the costs will probably be covered by the health care system in the home country, be it U.K. or the Netherlands, as any other citizen who needs health care.

Yes, Prince Friso would certainly be entitled to full medical care somewhere, depending on where he is resident. However, I'm sure the Dutch Royal family will want to be able to choose where he is moved, for various reasons (medical, family, logistics of visiting etc), so I'm virtually certain they will pay for care privately. Although Friso and Mabel have jobs, the Dutch royal family has great personal wealth, and can well afford to pay for the care they want (Forbes estimate of $300m for Queen's personal wealth in 2009).

[Baroness of Books]

Originally Posted by RubyPrincess168

Friso's friend survived because he was wearing an Avalanche Airbag safety device. Do we know if Friso was wearing one and couldn't get it deployed, or went out without one?

No, unfortunately Friso decided not to wear one.

[Lee27]

Prince Fisco was 44 years old and has been skiing for most of his life and had probably skied on this type of snow in this area hundreds of times. Accidents happen - - a few seconds or a few feet may have made all the difference. Sadly the prince has paid an enormous price for the decisions that he made. There is nothing that will change this tragedy. It is a time not to play the "blame game", but to come together with prayers and support for his family.


Didn't something similar happen with the Prince of Wales' ski party many years ago?

[Nice Nofret]

Yes a group with Prince Charles went down 'Schwarzseealp' from Gotschna above Klosters -, at least one was dead .. Diana was also in Klosters too, when that happend - but not skiing with that group.

They where with a Guide; the Guide got much trouble after that accident.

[Lumutqueen]

Originally Posted by Lee27

Prince Fisco
Didn't something similar happen with the Prince of Wales' ski party many years ago?

Prince FriSo. There is no C in his name.

In 1988 an avalanche hit the royal party who were skiing off piste, Major Lindsay died when he was pushed 400m down the side of the mountain.

[Bielle]

"Avalanche Airbag " - Recherche Google

[gerry]

Originally Posted by Lee27

Prince Fisco was 44 years old and has been skiing for most of his life and had probably skied on this type of snow in this area hundreds of times. Accidents happen - - a few seconds or a few feet may have made all the difference. Sadly the prince has paid an enormous price for the decisions that he made. There is nothing that will change this tragedy. It is a time not to play the "blame game", but to come together with prayers and support for his family.


Didn't something similar happen with the Prince of Wales' ski party many years ago?

Yes and a father died there too. Another famous avalanche victim (there's a new topic thread, mods)was the youngest son of Canadian prime minister Pierre Trudeau, Michel, who was swept into a lake in the Kokonos mountains of British Columbia and whose body was never found. Micha had no sons but a bright future was extinguished. Nature is unforgiving and sometimes cruel.

[Emmily]

Originally Posted by Baroness of Books

No, unfortunately Friso decided not to wear one.

And even if he had been wearing one that wouldn't be a guarantee against injury or death. The airbags, etc are tools to help in the event of an avalanche, but they aren't 100% fail safe. Of course, with one, the odds would have been MUCH more in his favor. We live close to ski areas in CO, and the very weekend this happened there was an article in our paper about experienced skiers skiing in out of bounds areas and the risks they are taking even with these devices.

[Baroness of Books]

No, nothing is ever a guarantee or safeguard no matter how well-equipped you feel you are in a situation. One always hopes the chances of survival increase when you do wear such equipment, though, but it shouldn't give any skier in the general sense a feeling of infallibility when they do go out prepared.

[Tiggersk8]

How old are Mabel and Friso's little girls?

Mom asked me last night when I called home, as a friend of ours was asking if I knew anything about what had happened. In our area, if anything Royal makes the news... Anyway, I didn't know, but thought the girls are under the age of four. Regardless, so young for this to happen.

She was going to pray for them during the period of our Church service where it's time to silently ask for help for anyone you would like to. The Dutch RF can certainly use all the Prayers they can get. :o(

[Lumutqueen]

Originally Posted by Tiggersk8

How old are Mabel and Friso's little girls?

Luana is exactly a month away from her 7th birthday, Zaria is 5 and 6 in June.

[Hendrik-Jan77]

These days I also think a lot about Prince Kardam of Turnovo.
Although he had a different kind of accident, the outcome is much the same of that of Prince Friso.
They are both in a coma. I still hope, perhaps against hope, for a positive outcome for Prince Friso...
I have a feeling that the Royal Family will wait and see for the next couple of weeks and consult various doctors but that they won't let this situation continue for years to come. I think they will be realistic and what Friso would want in this situation will be in the forefront of their heads.

[Empress Merel]

Skiing is a very dangerous sport and Friso is one of many people who have died or been injured and won't be the last. (Natasha Richardson, Liam Neeson's wife as an example) He obviously knew the risks very well but decided to go without an airbag. Stupid, but that's always later, no?
Case is now to make the best decision possible. Life will either way never return to normal. Even if a 'miracle' happens.

And I believe the oldest is either 5 or 7.

[NGalitzine]

Most people do not wear the air bags to ski. They are heavy and bulky and really not that common.
The off poste slope he skied on had been dynamited 9 times that morning in an attempt to cause an avalanche with no result. Although rated a 4 of 5 it was still considered safe for skiing, certainly no one was barred or warned not to ski there by the resort or ski patrols. There was risk certainly, but there is risk in almost all sports and human activity (try walking across a street).

[lucien]

Originally Posted by Kataryn

Lucien, as always I have the feeling you are well placed in your home country to have a good basis of information and I really want to thank you for sharing that with us.

But - what you say is so, so bad. Yes, I guess the most fortunate solution might be that the Lord or Nature or whatever High and Mighty takes away the decision making for the poor family.

Let's pray they won't have to go to that point of absolute emotional nakedness when one realises that we are not longer living in paradies, being eternals but are just a bunch of mortals who have to make terrible decisions forever and ever. May the Lord spare them, especially Mabel.

No dear Kataryn,it is not bad.What is bad?His present state of vegetation,that is inhuman.So yes,as awfull and sad as it is,I do hope his Maker will call him home,soon.This is no life,it is only uncertainty.And to be very frank: It was Insane in the first place to have that overzealous over 50 minutes resuscitation in the first place.Emotionally yes,I do understand,but really,it doesn't,and it didn't,make any sense.One useally stops at about say 20 minutes,never longer and if there isn't any sign of life then,then it won't be so ever.This,this is of a inhumanly deep tragedy to all involved,Friso most,only suffer,while those with full awareness,his beloved ones,suffer incredible cruel times no-one wishes for anyone to be in.I am sorry,and I am not,but this is my stance.What happened is that his wife and mother were kept to believing,given hope,and then disaster blew in for the 2nd time within a week,but more intense,no return to good old days,no return to a loving Friso and his beautifull three girls,no more chats and affection between Friso and His Mother,his siblings,anyone he ever cared for.There is just this ordeal,that lasts as long as it does,and no-body knows how long that will be.I am very very sorry indeed,realy really am.But safe this man from this ordeal,and in doing so,safe his beloved family from it too.It is too cruel.

Maybe another thread concerning the present state and ongoing moments can be put in instead of this,initial,thread on Prince Friso's ordeal.Too many if and buts here still.Let it be.Nothing will change soon.And ongoing discussions on what might be possible under Dutch law or not do not really fit in this initial thread,and besides that,the law is very strict,very,it is not as easy as one two three,the more so as the Prince isn't known to have that arranged for as thousands of fellow compatriots have.Whatever is the case elsewhere,it is not here so it doesn't make much sense to keep repeating all the same over and over,sorry,but that doesn;t make any sense at all.We have our laws and possibilities and act accordingly if need be in due time.NOT that there is any mentioning or anything going on in that frame at present at all,there is not.

I truly deeply hope for Friso to be called home to His Maker.And I burn a candle for him and all his family to guide them through these most awfull of times.

[Osipi]

Originally Posted by lucien

No dear Kataryn,it is not bad.What is bad?His present state of vegetation,that is inhuman.So yes,as awfull and sad as it is,I do hope his Maker will call him home,soon.This is no life,it is only uncertainty.

Just a few thoughts to add to this discussion. It is my understanding that Friso is currently in a coma and it has never been stated anywhere that he is either brain dead or in a permanent vegetative state. The MRI that was taken did show that there was severe brain damage. I'd like to refer to the article posted on the portal page of TRF here:

UPDATE 24/02/12 at 07:15: A press conference with the head of trauma and intensive care at the hospital in Innsbruck has just taken place. The doctors gave some details on the Prince’s condition, and their prognosis:

• The Prince was under the snow for 25 minutes.
• CPR was performed on the Prince for 50 minutes to resuscitate him.
• A MRI was performed yesterday on the Prince, which indicated that the Prince had suffered severe brain damage from a lack of oxygen.
• The doctors cannot guarantee that the Prince will awaken from his coma, or give a timeframe as to when this could be expected. If he does wake up, his rehabilitation will take months or years.
• The Prince’s immediate family are currently looking in to suitable clinics for him.

The part "If he does wake up, his rehabilitation will take months or years." I would think would be a glimmer of hope for all of us rather than thinking that all is lost and hopeless. We have absolutely no knowledge even of what parts of the brain were damaged and how they would affect Friso should he awaken. I am not a medical expert by any means but I know I've heard of people with brain damage that, with rehabilitation, were able to "reprogram" the brain and live happy lives.


Its the waiting that is the biggest suffering for the family but I am sure that the doctors in attendance know what they are talking about and are completely honest and open with the family of the road ahead. One thing I would bet my last donut on is that his loved ones haven't given up hope. We should follow their example.


Just my two cents worth.

[anele14]

more photos ????