CEDAR SPRINGS, Mich. — The family of an employee who was critically injured working inside a giraffe enclosure is clarifying the details leading up to the accident.
On April 19, Kent County deputies responded to Deer Tracks Junction Adventure Park just after 3:30 p.m. The initial report said 27-year-old Tyler Powell was on a ladder in the giraffe enclosure when the giraffe hit the ladder, causing him to fall.
He was rushed to an area hospital with severe injuries. Since then, Tyler has remained in the hospital in critical condition with a traumatic brain injury.
Kelly Powell, the owner of Deer Tracks Junction and Tyler's father, told 13 ON YOUR SIDE there were no animals in the enclosure at the time of the fall.
On Wednesday, a Facebook post on the Deer Tracks Junction page provided some additional clarification, saying that they were uncertain what happened when Tyler was injured.
"What we do know is that Kelly and Tyler were working in the giraffe enclosure. The giraffe had been safely shifted to an empty enclosure prior to them entering. Tyler used a 6ft ladder to assist him in securing a 2x4," the post reads. "Kelly had turned away for a second and heard a loud noise. He turned around to see Tyler falling and he tried to catch him. As any parent knows, the fact that he failed to catch him and Tyler fell to the cement is a haunting memory."
The post goes on to say that there is always the possibility that large animals can cause harm "without even trying," and that "every precaution" was taken prior to Kelly and Tyler entering the enclosure.
"We are being very honest with the fact that we just don’t know what happened. Statements that were made at the time of the accident were said from shock, fear, and confusion that anyone would feel during a time like that," it reads. "Somehow, Tyler fell off the ladder, and that is all that we know."
Tyler is a father and husband. In the Facebook post, the family urged people to visit Tyler's social media pages to "get to know him" and see how he cared for the animals. His pages can be found on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube with the username "TyAmongAnimals".
"Tyler loves every animal that we have. Their care and quality of life has always been his passion," they said.
Friends of Tyler's shared a GoFundMe fundraising account to raise money for his medical bills.
"There are no words to describe how we feel and how grateful we are for this supportive community. If you would all join us in praying for Tyler, we would be so thankful," the fundraiser said.
Deer Tracks Junction is currently closed for the season, but their website indicates they open around Memorial Day weekend, weather permitting.
The park shared earlier in April they plan to debut a new giraffe named Puzzles. The owner said they park now has a pair of giraffes.
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