NEW BERLIN – A Norwich man was airlifted to Wilson Regional Medical Center in Johnson City Wednesday with serious injuries to his head and neck following a one-car accident on county Road 29 in the Town of New Berlin.

Michael J. Abbott, 20, of 32 Hayes St., Norwich, remains in the intensive care unit after being airlifted to Wilson when his 2003 Kia slid over wet pavement causing it to leave the roadway as he headed eastbound on his way to work at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday.

His father, Norwich basketball coach Mark Abbott, said he wanted to thank Nikki Rundle and her uncle William Maynard for rushing to help his son, who was being strangled by his own clothing following the accident. The two then called 911.

Mark also thanked emergency crews, saying, “This shows you the good hearts of the people of Chenango County and they’re why he’s here right now.”

According to his father, Michael may have “issues with partial paralysis” because of fractures to his neck and “surgery may be ahead.”