A devastating crash in St. Thomas has left a teenager fighting for her life. Hadley, a Grade 12 student, was riding with her best friend Friday when their vehicle collided with a grain truck at Quaker Road and Southdale Line.
Initially meant to be transported to London Health Sciences Centre, her condition forced paramedics to bring her instead to St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital, where a trauma doctor, two surgeons, an available operating room, and an anesthetist happened to be ready.
Hadley had lost massive amounts of blood and required 17 units of red blood cells. Surgeons removed her spleen and treated a severe liver injury — an operation that her parents say saved her life. She also suffered major head trauma, skull fractures, and significant brain swelling. Doctors warned that even with surgery she had a high chance of not surviving, but the family chose to proceed.
Once stabilized, Hadley was transferred to LHSC, where she underwent neurosurgery on Saturday. Part of her skull was removed to relieve pressure, and scans show her condition has not worsened. Another MRI on Monday will give doctors a clearer picture, but her parents say she is fighting hard.
Heather, a longtime pediatric oncology nurse at LHSC, says the community response has been overwhelming. A fundraising campaign organized by her colleagues had already reached $30,000 by Sunday to help support the family as they remain at Hadley’s side.
Hadley remains in critical but stable condition, and her parents say they are clinging to hope, describing her as determined, resilient, and fighting with everything she has.
Update – On Friday Nov 17, Hadley Denison has succumbed to her injuries in hospital. She was 17-year-old.
In remembrance of Hadley and to provide the community an opportunity to gather in mourning, her parents have planned a public celebration of life on Nov. 22 at Faith Church, located at 345 Fairview Ave. in St. Thomas. Visitation is scheduled from 1 to 2 p.m., with the service beginning at 2 p.m.