Hiker recovering from

Glen Burney accident
By Melanie Davis
melanie@mountaintimes.com

The hiker injured last Sunday at Glen Burney Falls is recovering well.

Taylor “Boomer” Sassmann, 23, of Banner Elk, was hiking with his roommate, two friends, and four dogs when the accident happened.

“The real story is that my 12-year-old dog, Cosmo, was heading off the falls and I dove after him to save him,” Sassmann said. “We both ended up going over the falls.”

Sassmann suffered a severely fractured right ankle, two broken toes on the left foot, a broken thumb and lacerations on his forehead. He was treated at the scene by Blowing Rock Fire & Rescue and was airlifted to Johnson City Area Medical Center in Tennessee. Since the accident, Sassmann has undergone three surgeries on his right ankle and has been transported to Greensboro to be near family.

Cosmo has had a full body scan and suffered only minor injuries in the fall.

“My friends and the rescue workers saved my life. If I had been alone on the trail when this happened I would have bled to death,” Sassmann said.

“I will always remember them. I’d love to thank them in person someday.”

He is optimistic about a quick recovery. “Despite the massive amounts of bandages and steel frames holding me together I’m walking with a walker and should be completely mobile in 8-10 weeks,” he said.

An avid hiker and snowboarder, Sassmann hopes for a full recovery before winter in order to continue teaching snowboard lessons at Ski Beech.

He is also co-owner of a business in Banner Elk specializing in building Web sites and computers and plans to start an electric car conversion business.

He graduated from Appalachian State University in May 2008 with a degree in industrial design.

As for Cosmo, Sassmann inherited the dog five years ago after the death of his grandmother. Cosmo has been a steady outdoor companion since.

“When I got him he was 110 pounds and could barely walk up here in the mountains,” Sassmann said.

“Over the past few years I've cut his weight in half and he loves to go on hikes and camping trips with me.”