British cinematographer George Richmond, who suffered a catastrophic cervical spine injury in a paragliding accident in Himachal Pradesh last week, is awake and communicating after undergoing high-stakes spinal surgery at PGIMER in Chandigarh. However, doctors have flagged critical concerns, including persistent limb paralysis and weak breathing muscles.
Medical Update on George Richmond
According to a health bulletin issued by PGIMER on Saturday evening, Richmond is conscious and able to respond to commands. He can interact and communicate with his wife, who has been at his bedside throughout his ordeal at the premier public medical institution.
The bulletin, signed jointly by Prof. Vijay Goni, Head of Orthopaedic Surgery; Dr Nidhi Panda, Head of Neuro-anaesthesia; and Prof. Ashok Kumar, Medical Superintendent, PGIMER, noted that Richmond has very limited movement in both arms and no movement in either leg. This is a direct consequence of the severe spinal cord injury he sustained when he crashed into rugged terrain in the Deo Tibba area of Kullu district on June 8.
Respiratory Concerns
Richmond's oxygen saturation is holding at 96 per cent with nasal supplementation, but doctors have flagged that his breathing muscles remain weak. They warned that if his respiratory status deteriorates, he will be managed accordingly, potentially requiring mechanical ventilatory support. The cervical injuries at the C1 and C5-C6 levels—the two fracture sites—place the spinal segments governing diaphragmatic and intercostal muscle function under direct threat.
Other Clinical Indicators
Blood pressure and heart rate are stable, and kidney function is normal with adequate urine output. However, his haemoglobin remains low at 8.8 g/dL, a level that will require close monitoring. In an encouraging sign, Richmond passed stool on Friday night, which doctors consider clinically significant given the neurological compromise involved. Vigorous physiotherapy is under way around the clock.
Richmond was part of a five-member group on a long-distance cross-country paragliding flight from Bir Billing in Kangra district heading toward the Deo Tibba region when he crashed into difficult mountain terrain on June 8, triggering an extensive search and rescue operation.
