Doctors: Pearce making encouraging progress

(AP) — Doctors say American snowboarder Kevin Pearce is making encouraging strides in his recovery after suffering a severe brain injury last month.

Dr. Elaine Skalabrin says in a statement Wednesday that Pearce is "actively participating in his therapies" and making daily progress.

Doctors removed Pearce's breathing tube last week and upgraded his condition from critical to serious at University Hospital in Salt Lake City.

Family spokeswoman Danielle Burch says Pearce is still in serious condition and remains in intensive care.

Pearce was injured in a halfpipe training accident on New Year's Eve in Park City. The 22-year-old from Norwich, Vt., is a top-ranked halfpipe rider.