BMX athlete TJ Lavin remains unconscious but reportedly breathing on his own

BMX rider TJ Lavin remains unconscious at University Medical Center but has shown minor signs of improvement, including breathing on his own after doctors removed his breathing tube.

"They took his ventilator off, but he still hasn't woken up. He is breathing on his own," Lavin's friend, Cesar Flores, told ESPN.com on Thursday morning.

On Wednesday, Lavin reportedly showed some signs of gaining consciousness. "TJ slightly opened his left eye, then opened both eyes for five seconds. He squeezed my hand and wouldn't let go," added Flores.

Lavin, 33, was critically injured after crashing Thursday during qualifying at the Dew Tour Championships in Las Vegas. The Las Vegas native suffered bleeding on the brain, a broken wrist and an orbital fracture and has remained unconscious in a medically induced coma to reduce swelling in his brain.

"He's having a hard time waking up. Twenty-four hours and we will be out of the woods if all goes well," added Lavin's mother, Barbara.

-- Kelly Burgess
twitter.com/latimesoutposts

Photo: TJ Lavin competes at X Games 10 in 2004. Credit: Pete Demos / Shazamm/ESPN Images

Related:

BMX rider TJ Lavin remains in medically induced coma at Las Vegas hospital

BMX star TJ Lavin in critical condition after accident during Dew Tour event qualifying

Comments

[Lesa Coffey]

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family TJ! Hang in there! I love you!