A Powell man suffered severe burns at Saturday’s demolition derby, after his car became engulfed in flames.

As of Monday, Bryce Kelso was being treated in an intensive care unit and was under heavy sedation at a specialized burn center in Idaho Falls.

While personnel at the Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center are waiting to officially categorize the extent of Kelso’s burns, staff at Powell Valley Hospital initially estimated that he’d suffered second- and third-degree burns on 45% of his body, said family member Don Adams.

Kelso underwent surgery on Sunday morning so doctors could remove debris from his throat and check out his lungs, Adams said. He’s facing the prospect of a lengthy recovery.

A fast, large fire

Kelso had been competing in the Park County Fair’s popular demolition derby Saturday night when his vehicle suffered some kind of fuel leak that ignited with a spark.

“Immediately, it was just a large fire,” Adams said.

Drivers typically exit their modified derby vehicles through the front windshield area, Adams noted, but with Kelso’s engine in flames, that wasn’t an option. Those on scene attempted to help Kelso get out, but those efforts were unsuccessful. Kelso wound up being stuck inside the vehicle until members of the Powell Volunteer Fire Department, who had been on standby at the event, extinguished the blaze with water.

To the hundreds of people watching from the fair’s grandstands, it might have appeared that Kelso was OK, as he was able to stand and raise his arms after getting out of his car. But that initial reaction was driven solely by shock and adrenaline, Adams said.

After initially being transported to Powell Valley Hospital, Kelso was flown on to the Idaho burn center around 3 a.m. Sunday, Adams said.

Kelso’s wife, Shelbe, later traveled to Idaho Falls to be with him, but she’s only allowed to see him for three hour-long stints each day, Adams said Monday. Finding affordable lodging has also been a challenge, he said.

‘Full Throttle for Kelso’

Fundraising efforts are underway for the couple and their three young children. Dustin Short is organizing an Aug. 30 figure 8 race and silent auction — tentatively titled, “Full Throttle for Kelso” — to benefit the family.

“We all are pretty close family in the motorhead field,” Short said.

Saturday’s “freak accident” was “pretty much the nightmare scenario,” he added. “That’s everybody’s worst fear.”

It was the worst fire that Adams, who organized Saturday’s event, could recall in his decades of derbying.

“Whether it was a family member or anybody, you hate to have anybody in that situation,” said Adams, who is Shelbe’s grandfather. 

Adams likened the entire derby community to “one big family,” mentioning that several drivers had already called to ask for updates on Kelso.

“Everybody’s concerned,” he said.

Monetary donations can be given directly to the Kelsos at Big Horn Federal Savings Bank. Meanwhile, those interested in helping to sponsor “Full Throttle for Kelso” or wanting to donate items for the silent auction can get in touch with Short at DSE, located at 314 S. Mountain View St.