Nebraska Governor Recovering After Horseback Riding Accident
In a weekend incident, Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen experienced a horseback riding mishap that led to significant injuries, prompting immediate medical attention. The event, which took place on Sunday, resulted in several broken ribs and a collapsed lung, among other injuries.
According to a statement released Monday, Governor Pillen was with family members, including his daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter, when he was thrown from a horse near Columbus. Dr. Hillman Terzian, a trauma surgeon at Nebraska Medicine, detailed the governor’s injuries: “Gov. Pillen was transported to Nebraska Medicine Sunday afternoon after a horseback riding accident while riding with his daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter near Columbus,” Terzian noted. “The Governor’s injuries included minor lacerations to his spleen and kidney, seven broken ribs, a partially collapsed lung resulting from the rib damage, and a minor fracture in one of his vertebrae. There were no injuries to his neck, head, nervous system or additional internal organs.”
Initially taken to Columbus Community Hospital, Governor Pillen was later moved to the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) in Omaha for further treatment. His medical team recommended a coil embolization procedure to control minor bleeding from his spleen. This minimally invasive surgery, which required anesthesia, took under an hour to complete. During this time, Lt. Gov. Joe Kelly temporarily assumed gubernatorial duties, in line with the Nebraska Constitution’s provisions for such scenarios.
The procedure was successful, and Governor Pillen reportedly watched the Nebraska men’s basketball team secure a victory over Murray State from his recovery room. Although his injuries were serious, they were not deemed life-threatening. Pillen’s condition was stable, and he was expected to remain hospitalized for a few days to monitor his recovery, primarily focusing on the rib injuries. He has made arrangements to continue working from his hospital room during this period.
