UPDATE: Injured Reston Racer Returning to U.S.

Reston Go-Kart racer Ayrton Climo has been released from a Canadian hospital and will continue his rehabilitation at Inova Mount Vernon Hospital.

The Washington Post reports that the 18 year old, who suffered a severe head injury in an Aug. 1 practice run in Trois Riveres, Quebec, is making the 14-hour trip back to the area via ambulance.

After the injury, Climo had brain surgery and spent three weeks in a medically induced coma. His parents, Lisa and Ed Climo, spent time battling their insurance company, who wanted Ayrton to continue rehabilitation in Canada.

They eventually received clearance to return this week, taking a Canadian ambulance to the U.S. border, then continuing the journey by American ambulance.

A GoFundMe account called #KEEPFIGHTINGAYRTON set up by friends in the karting community now has $25,000 in it to help defray mounting medical costs.

Lisa Climo has been posting updates on her son’s recovery on the KeepFightingAyrton Facebook page. Ayrton, a 2014 South Lakes High School graduate, has been eating small amounts of food and talking a bit in the last week.

Photo: Ayrton Climo via GoFundMe.com