Prayers for a little girl

[Rich Jones]

My six year old grand-niece was involved in a horrible accident yesterday. She was in a minivan with her mother, aunt, two sisters, grandmother, and great grandmother (my mother). They were returning from a beach in North Carolina when some IDIOT comes speeding through an intersection towing a 24' pontoon boat that he forgot to tie down. It came flying off the trailer and smashed into their minivan. All in the car were taken to the hospital, but Natalie had to be airlifted to a trauma center with severe head injuries. The bow of one pontoon came through the side of the van and hit her in the head. She's got two skull fractures and swelling of the brain. She's in an induced coma and it'll be days before the doctors can tell if there's any brain damage.
My 87 year old mother is now home. Sore, but tougher then nails! All the others are also OK.
This is a tragic lesson: ALWAYS check your hitch, safety chains and tie-downs. That idiot has a lot to answer for.

[seanz]

I have a 7yo grand-niece. My good thoughts and sympathy to you and your family.

[Ian McColgin]

What a horrible thing. We'll be hoping.

[Steve McMahon]

She is in my thoughts and prayers.

[Paul Pless]

Hoping for the best Richard.

[S.V. Airlie]

Docs have,I'm sure a lot of experience in such matters. I send prayers as back up though..

[ccmanuals]

Horrible news. Our thoughts and prayers are with the whole family. Please keep us up to date on her progress.

[B_B]

So sorry.

[brad9798]

OMGosh ... I am SO sorry to hear this ... it breaks my heart to hear of this sort of thing that did NOT need to happen. Prayers, Richard.

[The Bigfella]

Best wishes on their way from here too

[Spin_Drift]

So very sorry this happened. Prayers and smoke sent to Natalie and Family.

Please keep us posted about her condition.

[htom]

Prayers for her, and healing wishes for all of you.

[Durnik]

best wishes for her, and everyone..

enjoy
bobby

[varadero]

Richard, I have a 5 and 7 year old. I went cold reading your post. Hoping only for the very best of outcomes for you. Good luck.
Bobby

[purri]

Mr Jones, I truly feel for you and yours. My niece had a similar in her late teens. A matter I shall never forget.

[BrianW]

Our thoughts and prayers for all.

[Iceboy]

Here's to hoping for a good outcome. Sad news indeed.

[Flying Orca]

Aw man. Thinking of her and you.

[bamamick]

May God give this sweet kid the strength to deal with the trails she is facing, and give her family and friends the strength to face today and every day and what comes with it.

Mickey Lake

[David W Pratt]

Best wishes to all.

[Y Bar Ranch]

Damn

I'm sure she's in the best of care now at the trauma center, and kids have such a remarkable ability to heal. Thinking of her...

[TomF]

Prayers for her, and for all of you. Including the idiot.

[Norman Bernstein]

That's simply terrible news.... hoping she makes a full recovery.

[Bill Griffin]

prayers for you and your family, such sad news

[goodbasil]

We'll pray for all of you.

[Spin_Drift]

Richard, how is Natalie today? Any news yet?

[Rich Jones]

Richard, how is Natalie today? Any news yet?

I haven't heard anything today, which in a way, is good news. The CAT scan yesterday showed no change.
My brother flew down there from New York City to be with my mother. He's a paramedic with the NYC Fire Dept and he's really up to date on all things medical. So, I'll get a report from him tonight.
Thanks to all for your concern.

[Rich Jones]

Just heard that she's doing a little better today. Inter-cranial pressure is down just a bit. Doctors are happy to see that.
Rest of the other seven people who were in the car are doing good. Lots of cuts from flying glass. Lots of bruises and sore bones.

[B_B]

Thank goodness.

[B_B]

Prayers for her, and for all of you. Including the idiot.

I was just thinking of this today, as I was driving to and from a job out of town. I've done so many similar things out of ignorance or mistake it boggles my mind. Being at a launch and with the queue staring and fingers drumming I could absolutely see myself forgetting the tie down straps...there but for the grace of god, eh?

[Spin_Drift]

Just heard that she's doing a little better today. Inter-cranial pressure is down just a bit. Doctors are happy to see that.
Rest of the other seven people who were in the car are doing good. Lots of cuts from flying glass. Lots of bruises and sore bones.

So glad to hear she's doing better. Also glad to hear others are not critically hurt. Thanks for the update.

Please update when there is any info. In the meanwhile sending prayers and smoke their way.

[McMike]

Best wishes for her recovery.

[Vince Brennan]

Keep us informed as to her progress and the chances of putting that idiot's jewels in a large, slow vise.

[Rich Jones]

No news on the driver towing the boat. He's got to feel like crap.
I've never forgot to tie the boat down, but once I forgot to undo the tie down strap. Backed the boat and trailer into the water only to have the boat floating with the trailer strapped underneath it.

[Robbie 2]

Best wishes

[Bernadette]

just checked in to see how the little girl is fairing.
good to see she is stable.
she will have a way to go yet before you can start to relax.
i do hope she will recover fully from this horrible and sensless accident.

[AussieBarney]

So, We are looking up? Good, I hope she comes good. Take care, barney

[Tom Hunter]

Hoping for a speedy recovery.

[marshcat]

I hope your grand-niece continues to improve, and the parents are doing OK. I have three daughters ages 8-13 and can only try to imagine what your family is going through.

[Y Bar Ranch]

...there but for the grace of god, eh?

Indeed. I'd expect he is tormented beyond measure, having seen similar from the other side of an accident.

Triple-checking my kayak tiedowns next time I go...

[Rich Jones]

She's doing a little better. Inter-cranial pressure is lowest it's been since the accident. Still high, but coming down slowly. Also, the doctors are seeing some reaction in her pupils from their flashlight.

[B_B]

Excellent news! Thanks.

[brad9798]

AWESOME, Richard ... more prayers sent!

B

[pcford]

wonderful.

[Fitz]

Hoping for the best and speedy recovery for all from here.

Fitz

[Bernadette]

fingers still crossed here for her x

[skipper68]

We never know why things happen. My prayers are out for so many now. Natalie is in my prayers now, with tears. Have faith in the greater will. She is being blessed by my Prayers. Your whole family has my Prayers. So sorry to hear this.Be strong.

[McMike]

Best wishes to her comfort and full recovery.

[Spin_Drift]

Richard, how is Natalie doing? And changes yet? Is she under "induced coma" type thing? When are they going to wake her up?

So many questions, but we are concerned.

More prayers and smoke sent.

[Rich Jones]

No change, but she's holding her own. They inserted a feeding tube yesterday to start getting some food in her.
She was unconscious after the accident, so was already in a comatose state. They further induced a coma to keep her absolutely still. She was breathing on her own, but they gave her drugs to suppress her respiritory system and put her on a ventilator. This way, they have control over her breathing, making sure she gets the right amount of air. Also prevents her from coughing, which can be bad if it causes her to jerk her head. No plans to bring her out of coma until her cranail pressure is where they want it.
It turns out that her fractured skull helps in a way. The crack gave the brain a little room when it swelled.
The hospital and doctors are top-notch. So, with their skill and our prayers, she'll make it.