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Vandervlis out of intensive care, expected to make full recovery

Jul 16, 2018 | 11:08 AM

LETHBRIDGE — A member of the Lethbridge Hurricanes who was seriously burned while hanging out at a backyard firepit is out of intensive care.

Family of Red Deer native Ryan Vandervlis say he is fully alert and has been transferred to the burn unit at Foothills Hospital in Calgary. He is able to whisper and communicate through texts.

The 20-year-old centre suffered burns to half his body on June 15. He was with a group of young men who had gathered around a firepit at the Bearspaw area home of former Hurricane Tyler Wong as part of a pre-wedding celebration when a substance was placed in the fire.

Vandervlis has so far had five surgeries and will need more, but his family says he is expected to make a full recovery.