Dutch prince may never regain consciousness after skiing accident, doctors say

Dutch Prince Johan Friso stands with his wife Princess Mabel and Princess Marilene during the traditional Queens Day celebratons on April 29, 2006, in the Netherlands.

/ Michel Porro/Getty Images

(CBS/AP) Dutch Prince Johan Friso, who was buried by an avalanche while skiing off-trail in Austria last week, has suffered massive brain damage and may never regain consciousness, his doctors said Friday.

Pictures: Prince Johan Friso
Pictures: Royals visit Prince Johan Friso

Dr. Wolfgang Koller, head of trauma at the Innsbruck hospital where Friso is being treated, told a news conference broadcast live on Dutch national television that it took nearly 50 minutes to reanimate the prince after he was pulled from the snow. He had been buried for 25 minutes before rescuers found him.

"It is clear that the oxygen starvation has caused massive brain damage to the patient," Koller said. "At the moment, it cannot be predicted if he will ever regain consciousness."

Friso will be moved at a later date to a rehabilitation clinic for further treatment. But Koller cautioned that it may take years before he awakens from his coma, if he ever does, and any recovery from such significant brain damage is a process of "months or even years."

The accident occurred as Friso was skiing off-piste in Lech, Austria, despite avalanche warnings, with a childhood friend from the alpine village that the Dutch royal family has been visiting each winter for years.

The friend was carrying an avalanche "air bag" and escaped without serious injury. Friso was found with the help of a signaling device he was carrying and was flown by helicopter to the Innsbruck Clinic.

But "50 minutes of reanimation is extremely long. You could say too long," Koller said.

The doctor said that due to protocols for minimizing brain damage after such an accident, it had only been possible to conduct an MRI scan of Friso's brain on Thursday.

Frisco, 43, is the second of Dutch Queen Beatrix's three sons. He lived in London with his wife, Princess Mabel, and their two daughters, Luana, 6, and 5-year-old Zaria.

Members of the family, including Queen Beatrix, Friso's older brother Crown Prince Willem-Alexander, and others have traveled to and from the hospital in a steady stream amid a grim atmosphere in the week following the accident.

17 Photos

Royals visit Prince Johan Friso after avalanche

[mari1963]

Has anyone else noticed that Prince Willem doesn't look anything like his brothers? Who's his real daddy?

[Nederlandse]

Hm what are you implying here?
OUr Queen did not cheat !

[imofanopinion]

The really sad thing is that this could have been prevented - also the recent one in Washington state that took lives. And so many other reports over the years. ALL of these people, while they are experienced skiers, were skiing off course. WITH avalanche warnings posted. Sad thing is they are not just risking their lives but the lives of those they leave behind. I feel so sad for the families and wonder if things like this will sink into the minds of others being a bit of the daredevil in skiing. And often when that avalanche happens others are also caught up in it. People need to think beyond that moment of self to what if.....

[kunstinar]

This is so so unfortunate for the children. If I was in the area things would be different. All they need do is look into a long deceased distant cousin of theirs Vincent van Gogh. He did more than art but you do not see it in history books. He was a healer and quite talented at that.

[britfan]

I'm surprised to see how cold people can be. When others no matter what their station in life is. They can only be envious. Yes this man SHOULD have been better equipped.You might just have noticed that you don't have to be rich or have a title to loose a life on the sloops. Here in Canada and USA this happens ALL the time, more then you think. My sympathy to the family as they go through this difficult time. And you DON'T have to be stupid to make a bad move in life.

[smittyc]

My prayers for his recovery. The article did not state whether or not he had head trauma and if not his chances of survival and recovery are much higher.

[Transatlantique]

Great! I'll happily take his vacancy.

[Jesus_to_ground_control]

Humpty Dumb_ty

All the king's horses and all the king's men couldn't put Humpty together again.

"The friend was carrying an avalanche "air bag" and escaped without serious injury."

[Nederlandse]

Not very funny!

[PourpaixPourpaix]

Bummer, to have everything and lose it all because of arrogance and stupidity. Unlike many inbred royals, it seemed Johan had some talent and moxie.

[Nederlandse]

You and conway should be a little more considerate. that is one of my princes and we are all very upset. You 2 are very uncaring and mean spirited. Shame on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[bobkat258]

But "50 minutes of reanimation is extremely long. You could say too long," Koller said.
Why do Doctors bring people back to life? It's a catastropic mistake. My sympathies to the family.

[guest173]

I disagree that it's a mistake to try to bring people back. Some people have come back normal after being frozen, and doctors learned that the body and blood can be made cold that actually improved some surgical life threatening procedures. This man may not make it but others do sometimes. It's too bad he ignored the warnings.