National champion breaks neck downhill skiing

John Fisher, a three time expert national downhill champion, broke his neck in a downhill skiing accident last weekend.

The 42-year-old experienced skier, from Oakhurst, California, was involved in a slow-speed crash at the bottom of a run while on his way to join family members for lunch. Fisher was airlifed to University Medical Center in Fresno and placed in intensive care after the accident.

"It's just a freak thing," Mark Fisher told the Fresno Bee. "He even told the Ski Patrol: 'I can't believe I got so hurt going so slow.' But he didn't know who he was either. Over 24 hours later, I'm still blown away this happened."

Immediately after the accident, Fisher lost feeling and movement in his body, but limited movement was beginning to return to his arms one day later.

Fisher placed second in his age group at the world masters downhill championships last September at Sun Peaks resort in British Columbia after friends and family raised funds to help defray his expenses.

Regarding John's initial outlook, brother Mark said, "It could get better or it could get worse."