Morton remains critical

Orange Coast College men’s tennis coach Glenn Morton, injured in a

head-on car accident Wednesday, was in an induced coma in the

intensive care unit of Western Medical Center in Santa Ana, his

ex-wife Laura said Friday.

“He’s in critical condition,” Laura Morton said.

She said Morton, 49, was unconscious when he arrived at the

hospital and doctors induced a coma in order to reduce swelling in

his brain.

Laura Morton said he has no broken bones and only minor bruises

and was moving his extremities Friday. She said doctors noted his

strong physical condition as a plus and said she believes her

ex-husband is very tenacious and determined to fight to recover.

“Doctors say they don’t want to be discouraging or encouraging,”

Laura Morton said. “They say the brain is the least-understood organ

in the body. He could have a full and complete recovery and he could

not have a complete recovery.”

OCC Athletic Director Barbara Bond said Morton was in the thoughts

and prayers of players and coaches she talked with at Friday’s

Southern California regional tournament, where four Pirates competed.

“All the coaches asked how he was,” Bond said. “[Morton] is very

well-regarded and everyone expressed concern.”

-- Barry Faulkner