Blue Jays’ Erik Swanson shares update on 4-year-old son who was struck by car: ‘We’re very, very lucky’
Blue Jays reliever Erik Swanson shared a positiv update on the condition of his four-year-old son, Toby, who was struck by a vehicle and airlifted to a nearby hospital in his first public comments since the accident occurred on Feb. 25.
Toby is progressing toward being discharged from the hospital in the next day or two, Swanson told reporters in Dunedin, Fla. on Thursday.
“Based off of the situation, we’re very, very lucky with everything that happened and the outcome of where we’re at now. My wife (Madison) has been absolutely amazing throughout this entire process. Very strong. What a strong, courageous mother should be,” Swanson told reporters, including Sportsnet’s Ben Nicholson-Smith.
The Blue Jays have been rallying around Swanson and his family ever since the accident, which occurred in Clearwater Beach and involved a large SUV, according to a Clearwater police report obtained by The Athletic.
Toby was airlifted to Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg. Three days after the accident, the family issued a statement via Instagram saying that Toby had been moved out of the ICU and now he is nearing his return home.
Erik is back at Blue Jays camp after he stepped away to be with Toby and his family. He told reporters how thankful he was for the first responders who tended to his son after the accident and to the hospital staff who have cared for him since.
The reliever also told reporters he was grateful for all the love and support he received over the past two weeks from his teammates, staff and their families, as well as from Blue Jays fans.
