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ST. GEORGE — A Southern Utah teen remains in a coma weeks after a four-wheeler crash before a school dance.
Since that accident, the community has rallied around him, raising more than $50,000 to help with medical costs.
Inside one of the classrooms at Snow Canyon High School in St. George, students busily print shirts they hope will be top sellers.
"I know some people that don't know Britton that much and they're buying T-shirts,” said sophomore Gracie Bracken.
Britton Shipp wears jersey No. 7 for Snow Canyon's football team.
“Seven was his number since he was a little boy,” said senior Kellen Poulson.
Shipp loved playing football. His friends describe him as a warrior on the field. Now, they're hoping that he keeps fighting like a warrior.
"Life is very fragile. You don't want to take life for granted,” Bracken said.
Two weeks after rolling his four-wheeler, a utility-type machine, Shipp is still in a coma. His family is at his side every day.
"He hasn't gotten any worse, and that's a plus every day," said Britton’s father, Jesse Shipp.
Shipp's vitals are stable. He's showing some movement but there's no timetable for traumatic brain injuries.
"Just a matter of inches. Six inches changes this whole game," said Shipp’s father.
There are signs of encouragement on business marquees, doors and signs throughout the family’s hometown of Santa Clara.
So many people want to help that Shipp's sister started a blog on his progress. So far, it has over a million and a half hits.
"It’s just so cool to me that people care that much,” said Britton’s sister, Autumn Shipp.
"Never in a million years would I ever imagine the community coming together like this,” said Shipp’s father. “Coming together around the state, around the country and the world. It’s been amazing.”
