World Photo by Amy Moss Strong Ashley Crabtree, left, and Alaina Russell sign a get well banner for Harbor Lights Middle School student Michelle Whitney, who was hurt last week falling from a hay truck.

BANDON — A 13-year-old Bandon girl remains in critical condition at Portland’s Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, after receiving a severe blow to her head when she fell from a hay truck July 31.

Michelle Whitney fell from the truck driven by her father, Ben Whitney that afternoon on state Highway 42 South, according to the Coos County Sheriff’s Office log and other reports. She was taken by private vehicle to Southern Coos Hospital.

She was treated at the Bandon hospital, and then readied to be flown to a Portland hospital, though her departure was somewhat delayed.

There was a great demand for emergency medical flights in Southern Oregon that day, said Southern Coos CEO Jim Wathen. A helicopter responded directly from a previous response, but it was forced to refuel once it arrived in Bandon. Michelle continued to receive care in the hospital while awaiting transport, Wathen said.

She was flown to Doernbecher in critical condition and underwent surgery Friday to relieve the pressure on her brain, according to family friend Michele Winchell, who also traveled to the hospital. The teenager remained in an induced coma Tuesday, and underwent surgery again that night, Winchell said.

Michelle’s mother and step-father, Janet and Scott Huntley, her father, Ben Whitney, brother Michael and other family members are staying with her at the hospital. Janet Huntley works as a teacher for South Coast Head Start at the Southwestern Oregon College campus. Scott Huntley works for Bandon Dunes Golf Resort.

Students and adults who know Michelle gathered Wednesday at Harbor Lights Middle School to make cards and banners to be taken to Michelle at the hospital. Harbor Lights teacher Mary Webb organized the effort. Michelle will be a seventh-grader this fall and is active in school sports and dance at MarLo Dance Studio.