Dwayne Carswell in an accident

[SCAR]

Sad news about our good friend. Carswell was in a serious accident today. He was in a 5 car collision. I urge you all to say a prayer for him please. He is in surgery right now according to the reports. It was a 5 car pileup in Denver. Not many details right now but if anyone finds anything else please post!

[Sly Fox]

Here's the story:

Broncos' Carswell in surgery following multi car crash

AURORA - Denver Broncos offensive lineman Dwayne Carswell is in critical but stable condition and is undergoing surgery for serious injuries sustained in a chain-reaction accident Thursday morning.

The accident happened around 7:10 a.m. Thursday. Sky 9 captured video of the crash from above the scene.

Police say a Volvo driving northbound was cut off by a Grand Am driving in the same direction. The cars collided and went into southbound traffic hitting three additional vehicles. Carswell was traveling in one of the southbound cars.

"In no shape or form was Carswell the one that caused the accident," Aurora Police officer Tony Guzman said.

Carswell and another woman were transported to Aurora South Medical Center.

The woman who was hospitalized along with Carswell was treated and released.

Carswell, 33, is in his 12th year in the NFL. He caught two touchdowns in the game against Jacksonville this year. He played his college ball at Liberty University.

Stay tuned to 9NEWS and 9NEWS.com for updates throughout the day on Carswell's condition.

Here is the raw video of the accident scene:
www.9news.com/includes/buildasx.aspx?fn=http://wm.gannett.speedera.net/wm.gannett/kusa/june05/1130426254324-10-27-05-bronco-crash-sky9.wmv&sp=http://wm.gannett.speedera.net/wm.gannett/kusa/pre-stream/elway9-7-05.wmv

Here is a story from KUSA in DEnver:
www.9news.com/includes/buildasx.aspx?fn=http://wm.gannett.speedera.net/wm.gannett/kusa/june05/1130437832843-10-27-05-carswell-12p.wmv&sp=http://wm.gannett.speedera.net/wm.gannett/kusa/pre-stream/elway9-7-05.wmv

This obviously requires immediate prayer.

[FHSFlash]

Dwayne's agent is Jimmy Field of Baton Rouge. He says he was injured in the sternum area. He bruised the Aorta and his heart. His former coach, his agent and our family will be offering prayers for him. His survival is a blessing.

[coastal89]

They just reported on espn he had a ruptured spleen which was removed. He'll be out for the season.

[Sly Fox]

Considering the circumstances, the rest of this season could've been the least of his worries. Praise God for protecting him from further harm.

[PAmedic]

we have a couple threads going on this now, but suffice to say- this is a very serious matter. There will be a LOOOONNNNG recovery post-surgery, and internal injuries are not predictable. Not to mention, a ruptured diaphragm makes just breathing a real chore. Praying for the best for him- its gonna be a rough road.

[Sly Fox]

Here's the day after followup from the Boulder paper:

Carswell's career in jeopardy

Broncos lineman undergoes 5 hours of surgery after car accident

By Ryan Thorburn, Camera Sports Writer
October 28, 2005

ENGLEWOOD — Getting hurt on Sunday is a part of the job description in the NFL, but the Denver Broncos were not prepared for what happened to offensive lineman Dwayne Carswell on Thursday morning during his commute to work.

Carswell's coworkers were stunned after learning that their popular teammate affectionately known as "House" had suffered serious injuries in a multi-car accident en route to the team's Dove Valley headquarters.

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Carswell — currently listed in "critical but stable" condition at the Aurora South Medical Center's intensive care unit — suffered a contusion of his entire left internal cavity, multiple rib fractures, a ruptured diaphragm and a ruptured spleen. Doctors performed a five-hour surgery, removing his spleen and repairing internal organ damage.

"The volatile nature of what we do is one thing, but the fragile nature of life is another," Broncos fullback Kyle Johnson said. "It's something that you got to see firsthand this morning and got to experience. Sometimes, for some reason, it can make you feel like you're selfish a little bit. You're thinking about your own process and going through your own day, but the whole point is somebody else is in need and grave condition, and you're going to focus on that and make sure that person gets the attention they need and deserve.

"It makes you take a step back and get a little perspective."

Carswell, originally signed as an undrafted free agent out of Liberty University, is in his 12th season with the Broncos. The former tight end became the first offensive lineman in the Super Bowl era (since 1966) to catch two touchdowns in a game during Denver's 20-7 victory in his hometown of Jacksonville on Oct. 2.

Even though Carswell, 33, is a backup, his presence in the locker room will be missed as he begins the recovery from what are likely career-ending injuries. The Broncos tried to go on with business as usual after learning of the accident, but focusing on Sunday's game against Philadelphia isn't easy.

"I'm not going to say it's not a distraction because it can be ... it's one of your teammates," Broncos linebacker Al Wilson said. "It's a guy that I've known over the last seven years and been a teammate with. A lot of guys have been here with him for a long time. It's definitely in the back of your mind, but we know we still have a job to go out and do. You just hope for the best and try to visit him whenever we get an opportunity."

The accident occurred at about 7:10 a.m. as Carswell was in one of three cars traveling south when two northbound cars collided and veered into the southbound lanes on Parker Road at Hampden. He was able to contact his wife, Tamara, on a cell phone after the crash, and she called Rod Smith to pass word on to the team.

Carswell wasn't allowed any visitors on Thursday.

"Anytime somebody has an injury like that, such a freak accident, you don't know what to do," Denver head coach Mike Shanahan said. "You're just hoping that he's all right."

Carswell is one of the few Broncos remaining from the back-to-back Super Bowl teams of 1997 and 1998. Listed at 6-foot-3, 290-pounds, "House" had 192 career receptions for 1,707 yards and 15 touchdowns, and made the transition from tight end to the offensive line official during training camp.

"He won't return this season, I can guarantee you that," Shanahan said. "It's very serious what he went through, and now it's just worrying about him recovering and hopefully not having a lot of pain."

Carswell is listed as the backup for both right guard Cooper Carlisle and left guard Ben Hamilton on the depth chart. He was also an important part of Denver's goal-line package, frequently reporting as a tackle-eligible and burning the Jaguars for a couple of touchdowns.

"He's one of my friends on the team. We spent a little time together, talking, joking and laughing. Some people have mistaken me for him since I've been here these three years," 6-foot-5, 338-pound right tackle George Foster said. "We have a connection. It's gonna hurt."

This is the second time the Broncos have been hit with shocking off-field news involving a player's health. After a preseason game against San Francisco on Aug. 20, 49ers offensive lineman Thomas Herrion died of heart failure in the visitors' locker room at Invesco Field.

In this case, it appears that Carswell will survive and see his teammates again. Perhaps even as early as today or Saturday, depending on when the hospital deems him ready for company.

Grim television images showed both doors and much of the front and rear fenders on the driver's side of Carswell's car, a 1994 Chevrolet sedan, were torn off and crumpled. Firefighters had ripped the driver's side door off as they cut him from his car with the jaws of life. Officers made it clear that he was not in fault for the accident.

"I always told my father that I'm not a gambling man, but he said every time you get in a car you drive somewhere, that's a gamble within itself," Broncos safety Nick Ferguson said. "It can happen to anybody. ... I guess for us it will make us a little more cautious when we're driving home from work or vice versa."

Carswell and his wife reside in Aurora with their daughters Ashley and Aaron.

"I think about his family," Broncos running back Mike Anderson said. "We're praying for him."

www.dailycamera.com/bdc/broncos/article/0,1713,BDC_2453_4193570,00.html

[Sly Fox]

It appears DC is showing improvement:

Carswell's condition improves

AURORA - Broncos lineman Dwayne Carswell has been upgraded from critical to serious condition.

He remains in the intensive care unit at Aurora South Medical Center and is being treated for injuries he received in a five-car accident on Parker Road near Hampden Thursday morning.

Carswell, 33, ruptured his diaphragm and broke some ribs in the crash. Doctors also had to remove his spleen during surgery.

The Broncos say Carswell may be able to receive visitors later Friday.

Police have cited 22-year-old Marquita Brister with reckless driving in the accident. Investigators say she made an abrupt lane change, causing the crash.

Police say her Grand Am driving northbound cut off a Volvo driving in the same direction. The cars collided and went into southbound traffic hitting three additional vehicles. Carswell was traveling in one of the southbound cars.

"In no shape or form was Carswell the one that caused the accident," Aurora Police officer Tony Guzman said.

Carswell's 1994 Chevy Caprice was crumpled with part of the driver's severely damaged. He was the most seriously injured of the people involved in the accident.

Rescue workers used the Jaws of Life to remove Carswell from his car.

"The surgery went as well as it could possibly go," said Coach Mike Shanahan. He said Carswell won't be allowed any visitors for the next 24 and possibly 48 hours.

Broncos Head Coach Mike Shanahan addressed the team about Carswell's situation before practice. He is expected to talk with reporters Friday afternoon.

"You just pray for the best. That's all you can do now," offensive lineman George Foster said. "Football is secondary."

"The point is, somebody else is in need and in a grave condition," fullback Kyle Johnson said. "You want to focus on that and make sure that the person gets the attention that he needs."

"Your hearts and thoughts are certainly with your buddy," said safety John Lynch.

Carswell is in his 12th year in the NFL. He caught two touchdowns in the game against Jacksonville this year. He played his college ball at Liberty University and is originally from Florida.

www.9news.com/acm_news.aspx?OSGNAME=KUSA&IKOBJECTID=32c4627a-0abe-421a-01e3-3a4d8ffadbe1&TEMPLATEID=0c76dce6-ac1f-02d8-0047-c589c01ca7bf

Here's a slideshow of Dwayne's '94 Caprice Classic which fortunately for him was clearly built like a tank:

9news.com/9slideshows/Carswell%20Crash/

[bigsmooth]

dwayne is a good guy, and my prayers are with him and his family.

[Sly Fox]

Flames pray for Carswell

Chris Lang
Lynchburg News & Advance
October 30, 2005

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. - When a member of the family is in pain, everybody hurts, even if it’s a distant member of the family.

When Denver Broncos offensive lineman Dwayne Carswell was involved in a serious auto accident Thursday morning, Liberty University’s football players took notice. The team held a prayer that day after practice for Carswell, who played at LU from 1991-93.

Carswell was upgraded from critical to serious condition Friday and he was breathing on his own. Carswell suffered massive internal injuries in the accident, including a ruptured spleen, a ruptured diaphragm and several fractured ribs.

Doctors hoped to move Carswell out of intensive care by Saturday night, the Associated Press reported.

Liberty assistant head coach Pete Sundheim coached Carswell when he was in Lynchburg.

“Dwayne was always a hard worker, a tough guy,” Sundheim said. “He started as a running back here and evolved into a tight end and did a nice job. What I remember about Dwayne is that he works hard and plays hard, and that’s why he’s taken it to the next level.”

www.newsadvance.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=LNA%2FMGArticle%2FLNA_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1128767839233&path=!sports

[Sly Fox]

Here's some good news on DC's recovery:

Broncos lineman released from hospital

Associated Press

DENVER -- Broncos offensive lineman Dwayne Carswell was released from the hospital Friday, a week after he was critically injured in a car crash.

Carswell suffered rib fractures, a ruptured diaphragm, a ruptured spleen and internal injuries in the Oct. 27 crash and is out for the season.

He underwent a five-hour operation to remove his spleen and repair internal organ damage hours after the collision.

Carswell, 33, was on his way to Broncos headquarters in suburban Denver when two other cars collided and hit his 1994 Chevrolet sedan and other vehicles. Police said Carswell was not at fault.

Both doors and parts of the fenders on the driver's side of Carswell's car were torn off and crumpled.

The 12-year veteran, known by his teammates as "House," played tight end during his first 11 seasons, all in Denver.

He was moved to offensive line this year but the Broncos have used him in tackle-eligible plays several times. Last month, playing in his home town of Jacksonville, he caught two touchdown passes.

sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2213895