Boy's condition upgraded to 'serious'

An Orem boy who nearly died after being injured by shrapnel from a homemade firework has been upgraded to serious condition.

After spending nearly a week in a drug-induced coma, 11-year-old Bridger Hunt was waking up and breathing on his own Thursday afternoon, a hospital spokeswoman said.

"He's doing really well," said Bonnie Midget of Primary Children's Medical Center.

Bridger was injured July 24 when a firework lit by a Lehi man exploded, the shrapnel ripping through the boy's leg and torso. Bridger was flown to Primary Children's, where he is expected to remain for weeks or perhaps months.

Earlier this week, doctors performed a complex, 13-hour surgery to save Bridger's leg.