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Fundraiser Being Held For Pilot Who Lost Limbs After Snowmobiling Accident

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A charity boxing event will be held for a pilot whose limbs needed to be amputated after a snowmobiling incident.

On Jan. 4, North Memorial pilot Brian Kokesh, 47, of Palisade, was snowmobiling in Aitkin when he crashed into a ditch filled with water. He then walked out of the ditch and continued walking on the road for about a mile before collapsing. A passerby later spotted him and called 911.

Upon arrival of emergency responders, Kokesh was taken to Crosby Hospital where he was then immediately flown to the Hennepin County Medical Center. He was listed in critical condition at the time.

Ten-year veteran of the St. Paul Fire Department Alex Freese is the organizer of the Unite and Fight event. He says Kokesh was "frozen" and in cardiac arrest when he was discovered, so responders put a Lucas CPR device on him for four hours. He also needed to be rewarmed for four hours to a normal temperature. Kokesh woke up after 20 days of being unresponsive.

Due to severe frostbite, Kokesh needed a surgery to remove both of his hands and both of his lower legs. He's expected to undergo several years of recovery and will likely never work again as a pilot. Freese says Kokesh has flown thousands of critical patients during his employment with North Memorial Air Care.

Kokesh is married and has four children, ages 16 through 23.

The 5th Annual Unite and Fight will be held at the Uppercut Boxing Gym on March 11 at 7 p.m. Police, fire and EMS will be participating in the event – and all proceeds will go to helping Kokesh.

Tickets will cost $25 for general admission and $50 for VIP reserved seating. Cash only. Tickets are available now in advance at the Uppercut Boxing Gym or the night of the event. The event will include boxing matches with all city and state's departments being represented along with food and drink.

Uppercut Boxing Gym is located on 1324 Quincy St NE, Minneapolis.

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