Sartell Community Rallies Around 12-Year-Old Boy in Critical Condition After Bike Crash

(KNSI) — The family of the 12-year-old boy who accidentally crashed his bicycle Sunday afternoon is giving an update on their son’s condition.

Raghav Shrestha’s parents say he remains in critical condition on life support at Hennepin County Medical Center. Despite wearing a helmet, he suffered a severe head injury that caused the initial cardiac arrest and has now left him fighting for his life in a pediatric intensive care unit.

Sartell police say it was the family’s wish to publicly identify their son and give an update on his condition so his friends and the community could be updated. The release adds Raghav’s parents will remain at his bedside, hoping and praying for a miracle, and they ask the community to continue praying for the same.

Raghav is a seventh grader at Sartell St. Stephen Middle School. Staff there say they are working closely with police to provide support to anyone who needs it.

A fundraiser has been started to help with medical expenses. Learn more and donate here.

Raghav was riding his bike down what is known as Muskie Hill when he crashed at the bottom. His ten-year-old friend witnessed the incident and called 911. Someone nearby rushed to the scene and found the child not breathing and without a pulse. That person, a CPR instructor, started CPR until paramedics arrived. The boy was rushed to CentraCare St. Cloud Hospital before being airlifted to Hennepin County Medical Center.

Police say several bystanders jumped in to help however they could. Many of them had medical experience and assisted EMS staff, including helping first responders and comforting the child’s friend.

___