Thursday 19 May 2022 03:52 PM Texas father on hike with son loses sight permanently in one eye after tree ... trends now Texas father is permanently blinded in one eye after clambering across log with heavy backpack during 'hike of a lifetime' to Canada, then slipping and impaling his eye on tree branch Ed Steinkamp, 67, and his son, Bret, 28 set out to Victoria, Canada to enjoy a father and son hiking adventure until the freak accident occurred As the pair were climbing along the West Coast Trail, Steinkam lost his footing, slipped on a branch that went through his left eye reaching into his brain Steinkamp had to be airlifted by Pacheedahl First National Guardians to Victoria General Hospital He had to wait up to six hours in excruciating pain as the national guard had to refuel before getting to him Family members determined he had lost his eye and is now 'fighting infection, an ongoing fever, and is in much pain' A GoFundMe has been created to help the family with the massive medical expenses they and the long recovery ahead By Ruth Bashinsky For Dailymail.Com Published: 15:45 BST, 19 May 2022 | Updated: 15:49 BST, 19 May 2022 Viewcomments A Texas father has permanently lost sight in one eye after he accidentally slipped and impaled his eye on tree branch in a freak accident while hiking with his son in Canada. Ed Steinkamp, 67, and his twenty-eight-year-old son, Bret set out to hike the scenic lush trails in British Columbia to enjoy a father and son hiking adventure until the tragic ordeal. On May 3, during the third day of their hike, as the pair were climbing along the West Coast Trail, Steinkamp, an avid hiker, decided to walk across a massive tree branch that had fallen rather than tread through the mud. While dong so, he suddenly lost his footing, slipped and landed on a branch that went through his left eye reaching into his brain. Steinkamp had to be airlifted by Pacheedahl First National Guardians to Victoria General Hospital. But, before help arrived he had to wait up to six hours in excruciating pain as the national guard had to refuel before getting to him . The beloved father was rushed into emergency brain surgery at Victoria General Hospital and and spent days in the ICU. He was recently moved to the Neuro Trauma Ward and is under the care of a neurosurgeon. 'Ed is now fighting infection and is in much pain. It has been determined he has lost sight in one eye and is fighting an ongoing fever,' family friend Susan Lowe wrote in a GoFundMe on May 9. Ed Steinkamp, 67,(pictured left) and his twenty-eight-year-old son, Bret (pictured right) is recovering after enduring a horrible accident while hiking across the West Coast Trail on a father and son hiking adventure in late April Ed Steinkamp is an avid hiker. He is pictured here smiling as he climbs the West Coast Trail surrounded by lush greenery. He is and his son were planning this long-awaited hiking trip they described as an 'opporunity of a lifetime.' Steinkamp is lucky to be alive A photo of Steinkamp walking across the fallen tree log carrying a weighted backup and camping gear before the freak accident occurred that resulted in a tree branch that went through his left eye reaching into his brain A photo of Bret, 28, following his dad along British Columbia's West Coast Trail before the harrowing accident that nearly took his father's life Since the terrifying ordeal, Steinkamp's wife flew out from Texas to meet their son and be at his side. Lowe said it is unclear how long he will remain hospitalized but said the costs for his medical care will be enormous, in addition to the expenses. 'Ed will not be allowed to fly for months, so they will now need to rent a vehicle and drive him across the country to get home when he is finally released, which with the cost of car rentals and gas and another week of hotel bills can be enormous,' she said. She hopes the fundraiser will help alleviate some of their bills, saying in part, so her friend can concentrate on getting well. Described as selfless, and kind, Steinkamp has a long road ahead. She added: 'Ed has touched so many of our lives with kindness and laughter. He has never turned down any one of us whenever we have asked for help or in our time of need. Let us now help help him.' As of Thursday, nearly $17,000 has been raised towards their goal of $200,000. Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site (dailymail) and under his responsibility