By Nigel Maxwell

A man who was robbed, shot and left for dead last week remains in a hospital bed in Saskatoon.

That’s according to a GoFundMe page created this weekend for Orlan Peterson. As of Sunday evening, the page had already raised $30,000 to help cover Peterson’s expenses while he recovers.

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Brad Grolla, the creator of the fundraiser, who identified himself as a friend of the Peterson family, explained that on Thursday morning, Peterson arrived at a rural construction site north of Prince Albert, near the elevator from White Star Road.

“While working alone on the site for the day, two unknown vehicles entered the property. One of the people approached him, masked, and ordered him to move at gunpoint while assaulting him with a firearm. His phone and keys were stolen. Instead of just leaving in his truck, he was ordered into a trailer where he was shot and left for dead,” Grolla wrote.

Grolla said Peterson survived and was eventually, after about 90 minutes, able to get back on the road and get help. He was transported and then airlifted by STARS to a Saskatoon hospital for surgery.

Following the gunshot wound, Grolla said Peterson’s life would never be the same.

“It is not known at this time to what extent he will be physically disabled as a result of this life-changing injury. Orlan’s mental health will undoubtedly need healing from the fear he endured. There will be more surgeries, rehabilitation, physiotherapy, medical appointments, etc. in his future and that of his family. It appears that Orlan may never work again because of this cowardly and random act of violence,” Grolla said.

Grolla said his goal with the fundraiser is to help Peterson and his family with expenses for travel, fuel, meals, lodging, etc., since he lives two hours away from the specialists he will have to visit visit.

The first details released during an initial provincial emergency alert Thursday described as many as three to four suspects in a truck, dressed in black and possibly wearing a balaclava or bandana over their faces. After stealing the RNF Ventures truck, they headed north on Highway 55, before turning onto Highway 123 toward Cumberland House.

When they reached the Thunder Rapids area, the suspect’s vehicle collided with a heavy equipment vehicle that was also traveling on the road.

Two of those allegedly involved, Melissa McCallum and Angus Heathen, were subsequently arrested in the Tobin Lake area and are expected to appear in Prince Albert provincial court Monday morning.

The last update provided by the RCMP was on Friday and indicated that the search for two other suspects was underway.

RCMP reiterated the difficulty of searching the area due to dense, thick brush, swamps and mossy, swampy terrain.