'Thankful for a second chance'

Larry Clifford knows the alternative to suffering "just" a broken neck and being paralyzed from the neck down would have meant not watching his grandchildren grow up or being around his tight-knit family.

Even with the possibility of not being able to walk again, he's a thankful man.

The Post Falls 43-year-old was the passenger and training a truck driver on Jan. 12 when a train struck his side of a Swift Transportation semi just west of Sidney, Neb.

"I'm thankful because I really believe that Jesus saved my life," Clifford said on Tuesday from the Craig Hospital rehabilitation facility in Englewood, Colo., where he's expected to recuperate until May 19.

"It could've been a lot worse. I can't move my arms or legs, but I've got such a great family to live for. With the support of my wife and kids, I think I can survive this. I'm thankful for a second chance."

Clifford's wife Tina and 17-year-old son Austin have been staying with Larry. Daughters Kayla, 22, and Ashley 21, have also visited multiple times.

Larry was on his last training exercise when the accident occurred.

"Larry had told his manager that he didn't want to be a mentor anymore because it was too stressful for him," Tina said. "But he didn't quite make it home."

Tina said it's a miracle that Larry survived.

"The truck was sprawled all over," Tina said. "The seat belt saved his life, but broke his neck."

Larry has shown gradual signs of progress.

"He has some slight movement in his right arm, but he can't use it," Tina said. "Other than that, he has no movement."

Larry was on a ventilator during his first two weeks at Craig, but he's now breathing on his own.

"That was the greatest milestone because there's less of a chance for pneumonia without the ventilator," Tina said, adding that he's operating a wheelchair.

The driver of the truck, Bruce Elam, 52, Boise, suffered a broken femur and is recovering. Both men were transported by ambulance to the hospital in Sidney before being flown to Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff.

Larry said he has no ill-will toward Elam.

"I can't blame anybody," Larry said. "I just have to work hard and get better for my family."

Fundraiser planned

Friends of the Clifford family, including employees at Northwest Specialty Hospital where Tina works as a dietary aide, will hold a spaghetti feed and auction fundraiser from 5-8 p.m. Saturday at the Post Falls Church of the Nazarene, 308 W. 12th Ave. Tickets - $10 for adults and $6 for children - can be purchased at the hospital or at the door.

"This has been the beginning of a hard road for their family," said Susan Mashek, who works with Tina. "We are very excited and praying for a good turnout. So many people have come together and worked hard to make this event happen."

Tina said workers' compensation will pay for Larry's medical expenses and the cost to modify a van to make it wheelchair-accessible. However, the family faces the cost for a van itself and a wheelchair ramp.

Some hospital employees donated their vacation time to Tina so she can be with Larry.

Tina said she won't seek any settlement from Swift or Elam due to Larry having workers' compensation.

"It's a no-fault system," she said.

But she has retained an attorney to see if there was negligence on the part of Union Pacific Railroad or the jurisdiction the railroad crossing is in. Tina said she heard UP considered closing the intersection at one point due to fatalities there.

"I don't know whether trains are hard to see there or what?" she said.

Tina said Elam doesn't remember the crash. Larry recalls some of it.

"Larry had his head down and was doing his log book," Tina said. "He didn't realize they were coming up to a track and, when he looked up, a train was coming toward his side window. He said he got knocked out and woke when they were working on him at the scene."

Larry said he remembers getting struck, but doesn't recall hearing a train whistle, although UP said one was sounded.

"I had my window down," he said. "I'm upset at my self for not paying more attention, but it was his turn to drive and my turn to sleep."

Tina said most of the details of the crash, including how fast the train was traveling, are under investigation. The intersection has a crossing warning sign but no crossing guards.

Larry said he realizes his injuries could have been even worse. An artery in the back of his neck was cut, but his brain was not injured.

The Cliffords have lived in Kootenai County since 1996. Prior to working for Swift the past year and a half, Larry worked for Sierra Builders for about five years. One of his pastimes was playing in local pool leagues.

He said he's grateful for the support he has received from the community.

"I'm happy that there was no brain injury because I'm still able to talk to my family and will be able to go with them fishing," he said. "My family is what keeps me going."