Chris Sinnett (with Mandi Tessman) suffered serious injuries in an ATV crash in May (photo from GoFundMe)

By Liam Verster

'catastrophic injuries'

Fundraisers launched for local man injured in ATV crash

Jun 3, 2024 | 11:15 AM

Fundraising efforts have been launched to support a North Okanagan resident seriously injured in an ATV crash.

A GoFundMe campaign for Chris Sinnett, ‘Help Chris Sinnett’s long road to recovery,’ said the Armstrong man was quadding at Kelly Mountain with his stepson and his friend on Saturday, May 4, when the front axel of his vehicle broke.

The fundraiser, organized by a Sarah Whitehead, a friend of Sinnett and his family, stated he was thrown from the quad, hit a tree, then fell over 20 metres down an embankment.

Whitehead said Sinnett suffered “catastrophic injuries” as a result of the crash, including complex thoracic and lumbar spine fractures; brain bleed; small intestine hemorrhage; and suspected kidney failure.

Sinnett was first taken to Vernon Jubilee Hospital where he was stabilized, and then to Kelowna General Hospital where he was put into a medically-induced coma.

Fire spreads to house

Vernon home "significantly damaged" by grass fire

Apr 02, 2026

Youth Health Services

Youth immunization, sexual health clinic opening in Vernon

Apr 02, 2026

Displaced For A Week

Some residents still displaced from fatal apartment fire

Apr 01, 2026

He was then transported to Vancouver General Hospital, where he underwent numerous surgeries, and regained consciousness, though he still requires an electric wheelchair to be mobile.

The latest update from June 1, 2024, stated Sinnett has been moved into a transition ward to allow more time to rest and health internally, and in three or four weeks will be moved into the spinal ward for rehabilitation work.

The GoFundMe was launched to support Sinnett and his family, which, as of time of publication, had raised over $4,000.

The organizer has also arranged for a live music benefit fundraiser to support Sinnett.

The “C-DOGG’s” Road to Recovery benefit fundraiser will go June 8, from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., at OK C Smoking Gold. The show will feature performances by Route 97 and the Skeleton Parade, and admission will be $10 at the gate.

Image courtesy of the Skeleton parade / Facebook

“It’s going to be a long road to recovery for Chris and his family. And my hope with this fundraiser is to alleviate the financial stress of an unexpected medical situation like this,” the GoFundMe stated.

“Everyone who knows Chris and Mandi and their children knows that they are the kindest, most loving bunch, always helping and offering help any time it is needed, without being asked.”