University of Alabama Student Injured During Family Vacation
A student from the University of Alabama has reportedly sustained multiple skull fractures along with other injuries after a fall while on a family trip to the Caribbean.
The GoFundMe page created for Matthew Polaski and his family highlights the drastic turn of events, stating, “What was supposed to be a fun time together quickly turned into every parent’s worst nightmare.”
According to the page, Matthew was home for winter break from his freshman year when he traveled with his family to the Dominican Republic over the holidays. On December 28, a tragic incident occurred: Matthew fell and suffered a significant head injury. Immediately, he was taken to a local hospital where emergency surgery was performed to alleviate swelling in his brain. As of now, he remains in critical care and is in a medically induced coma. After his condition stabilized, he was moved by international medical flight to Miami for ongoing treatment.
The details surrounding the fall have not been fully disclosed, and Fox News Digital has reached out to the University of Alabama for further comment.
The GoFundMe describes Polaski as a “hard-working, respectful young man” who is very passionate about gymnastics. He recently began his college journey at Alabama, joined the Sigma Pi fraternity, and seemed to have a bright future ahead. His parents have been consistently supportive, traveling to various competitions and college visits to encourage him in pursuing his dreams.
Recently, an update on the GoFundMe revealed that Matthew has suffered a “skull fracture, pelvic fracture, and lumbar spine fracture.” The update mentions that doctors reduced his sedation to check for motor responses, and both his arms and legs reacted positively. In a particularly emotional moment, it was reported that Matthew moved on his own, opened his mouth, and squeezed his mother’s hand in response. This small sign of progress must have been incredibly moving for his family.
Interestingly, Matthew’s father was a former police chief in Robbinsville, New Jersey. The family’s financial burden has grown, with medical bills from the Dominican Republic nearing $75,000. The GoFundMe indicates that international medical transport costs alone could range between $35,000 and $55,000. Compounding the issue is the limited nature of insurance coverage, leading to escalating expenses upon his return to the U.S.
