Teen lost hand, sight in one eye in campfire accident

July 05--MORIAH -- He lost his left hand and sight in one eye, but Ryan Gunning's family is grateful that the 15-year-old survived a campfire explosion.

The incident two weeks ago at a remote camp in Moriah is still under investigation.

Ryan's mother and stepfather, Tara and Sean Mascarenas, traveled to Boston this week to begin a sequence of delicate surgeries to try to repair retinal damage in their son's right eye.

Damaged beyond repair, the teen's left hand was amputated. The family is looking at prosthetic options.

AVID HUNTER

Sean described Ryan as an avid young outdoorsman, a boy who grew up hunting, fishing and playing football.

The accident happened as Ryan and a few friends were building a campfire, the teen's father said.

A Ticonderoga police officer, Sean did not want to impede any ongoing investigation with further details or names of other young people involved.

But the actions Ryan and his companions took after the accident likely saved the teen's life, Sean said.

QUICK ACTION

Something exploded when the fire started. And the blast tore away most of the teen's left hand.

"After the explosion, Ryan realized the severity of his wounds, and he directed one of his friends to grab something for a tourniquet; I believe a belt was used," Sean said.

"They applied it to the proper spot. He knew that if he put the tourniquet lower, below the elbow, he might be able to keep the rest of the arm."

Damage from the fire also burned the teen's legs and his face, tearing the retina in one eye.

"He felt like he was burning, so he went into the pond where they were camping and directed a friend to get some drinking water for him. He knew he had to keep hydrated.

"They also grabbed a towel and put it on the wound.

"One of his friends ran to a house (more than two miles away) to call 911. Then they began to walk out. He walked out to where they got medical attention."

Ryan, who said on Facebook that Jacob Gibeau, Xavier Jaime and Chris Heald saved his life, did not lose consciousness despite the severity of his injuries.

LOSS OF LIMB

"He is an amputee. He lost his left hand, which they did one surgery on so far to repair," Sean said.

"He's healing well with that. He has met with a prosthetic doctor, and they are going to wait until the arm is fully healed before he is fit with a prosthetic hand. The stump has to be fully healed and formed before they go any further."

Much of the wrist joint was spared in early surgery, which allows for a wider option of prosthetics, Sean said.

"The prosthesis would run off the muscles in his arm. They are recommending iLimb technology -- prostheses we've been told he is a good candidate for.

"The eye is our next biggest hurdle. He doesn't see out if it right now, just shadows. He has a retinal tear."

The family traveled to Mass General in Boston this past Tuesday for surgery.

HELPING RYAN

Friends of the Mascarenas/Gunning family have stepped up, drawing support from people in Moriah, Ticonderoga, Crown Point and surrounding towns.

Two events are planned to help raise money to support the Mascarenas's travel and medical costs: a barbecue and basket raffle on July 18 and a Golf for Ryan Tournament July 19.

Tanya LaFrance rallied close friends to fill in the widening financial gap.

"Myself and two girlfriends are very close with the family," she said.

"Sean and my husband have been best friends for years. Tara and I have been friends since high school. We, as adults, vacation together. They're family," she said.

"Medical insurance only covers so much, so there are going to be astronomical uncovered medical expenses.

"They are going to be traveling back and forth a lot. Obviously, their priority is Ryan right now.

"So, we've been raising funds to help them get by. We have had a lot of cash donations made out directly to Tara and mailed to my home, because of their significant travel. I'm keeping track of every donation and every gift. And I'm getting them to her as quickly as possible."

'GREAT SPIRITS'

LaFrance is hopeful Ryan will come through the surgery well and adapt to use of a prosthetic hand.

"He's very, very strong. He is in great spirits," she said.

"While he was in the hospital in Burlington, players from his (modified Vikings) football team went to see him.

"Ryan is determined, and he really hasn't ruled anything out. He's going to play Viking football, he's going to hunt, he's going to fish. He is going to be a 15-year-old teen. He's an amazing kid," she said.

Sean said the family is moved by the response.

"Tara and Ryan and I have just been overwhelmed with people sending their support," he said.

"There are no words to express how grateful we are for everything people are doing."

Email Kim Smith Dedam:[email protected]

Benefits to help Ryan J. Gunning BBQ and Basket Raffle: 5 to 9 p.m.Friday, July 18, Knights of Columbus Hall in Ticonderoga. Hundreds of items donated, D.J. and activities in store. Facebook site is open for questions about Ryan's benefit: http://on.fb.me/1rimVWp. Golf for Ryan Tournament: Saturday, July 19, beginning at 9 a.m. at Moriah Country Club. Lunch will be provided. Basket raffles and 50/50 drawings, 4-Person Scramble, Hole sponsorships and prizes. Cost to enter the tournament is $35 for members and $45 for non-members. More information about the golf tournament is available on the Facebook event page http://on.fb.me/1rXnwdL and via Moriah Country Club social media http://on.fb.me/1pJdVdA.

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