Little Miami’s Thornbury in coma after crash

Little Miami High School senior football standout Brayden Thornbury remains in a coma at Miami Valley Hospital following a car accident Saturday night, according to football coach Ben Hubbard.

Thornbury suffered a severe head injury in the accident.

Hubbard, who has visited Thornbury, says receiving this type of news is something he hasn’t gotten used to in more than five decades of coaching.

“It’s difficult,” Hubbard said. “It is a serious situation there and there is no idea of what the outcome will be.”

Hubbard said Thornbury was driving late Saturday night when his convertible crossed the road, hit a guard rail and flipped. His younger brother was in the car with him at the time of the accident, Hubbard said.

“Everyone likes him,” Hubbard said of Brayden. “Everyone looks up to him at the school. It has been tough because the kids are thinking more about him. They really want to win one for him. It is just the reality of what is really going on is hard on them.”

Thornbury, a two-way starter, carried the ball 27 times for 146 yards and a touchdown in a 59-29 loss to Western Brown. In two games, the senior has carried 38 times for 211 yards and two touchdowns. He also has caught three passes for 26 yards.

As a junior, Thornbury led the team in rushing with 226 yards in five games. He also averaged 3.2 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.9 assists for the basketball team last winter.

Thornbury is a straight-A student and had taken part in a missionary trip.

“As far as a kid, I don’t think I can say enough good things about him,” Hubbard said. “There is not a better kid. He is one of the smartest kids I have been around and he did his missionary trip with great compassion. Everyone in the school likes him. It is a tragedy for everyone.”

The Panthers had looked into postponing its home game with Indian Hill on Friday night to a later date, but logistics did not allow it.

“As a high school coach, you have to keep things in perspective,” Hubbard said. “What they (the players) are going through, football is not highest on their mind and I can relate to that. The health of Brayden is more important than what we are trying to do.”

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