King Continues To Improve

The latest news on horror writer Stephen King is far from scary.

Doctors at a Maine hospital say King is ready to start putting some weight on his right leg again.

The best-selling author has using a wheelchair and has already started physical therapy. King has had another minor operation, his fifth so far, and is said to be progressing well.

King was hit by a van while walking along a road near his summer home on June 19th. He suffered multiple broken bones in his right leg, along with a punctured lung, broken ribs and head laceration.

While King remains in stable but serious condition, doctors have said King's rehabilitation is expected to take up to nine months.

Law officials say there was some confusion as to whether he was walking with traffic or against it, or if he turned and faced the van when he heard it coming toward him.

After the accident, Oxford County Sheriff's Department officials said they would not file any charges against Bryan Smith, the driver of the vehicle.

Smith said his dog, which was running around loose in the van when the accident happened, distracted him. He said he was so distraught by the incident that he may never drive again.

Doctors said King, the author of Misery, The Dead Zone, and the recent The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon, also suffered two fractured ribs, a bruised lung, and a minor scalp injury. His right lung was collapsed when he arrived but was repaired during the first operation.

The hospital has been inundated with cards, letters, and flowers by well wishers. Some local florists reported running out of flowers. Dustin said the number of hits for the medical center's Web page, where a "Stephen King Update" section has been specially posted, had jumped 3,000 percent.

Relatives have taken down the names of well wishers and then sent the flowers and gifts to other patients in the hospital. The Kings have suggested that, in lieu of flowers and other get-well gifts, those wishing to express their support consider donating to the Camp Jordan Capital Campaign. Contributions may be sent to: Camp Jordan, c/o CJ Capital Campaign, Bangor YMCA, 101 Camp Jordan Way, Ellsworth, Maine, 04605.