Anyone from the public is welcome to donate blood. But I pulled through.". So, with the help of Jamie as some extra muscle, they moved the wardrobe into the garden and set it alight. "I could feel the heat quickly nearing my face, but I couldn't get my trousers off because I was wearing my partners slippers. More than two dozen high schoolers filled the home at some point throughout the night, taking pictures and dancing to Ed Sheerans Perfect. Some went on to attend prom later. Before the collapse, some people, such as Texas A&M engineering professor Theodore Hirsch, expressed concerns about the safety of the bonfire, citing the partial collapse that occurred in a previous bonfire, the progressively shorter bonfire burn times which had dropped from several hours to collapsing in less than 20 minutes, and numerous incidents involving alcohol or unsafe horseplay at the bonfire site. We are heart broken, but remain always grateful that she was a part of our lives and world- we just wish it had been for a lot longer with us here on Earth. the Facebook page said. In the early stages, many wondered if there would ever be a welcome home for her. HOUSTON A Houston-area survivor of the deadly 1999 Texas A&M University bonfire collapse is recounting his story. Only after all of the rescue workers and family members had left the facility did the audience depart. [3] In addition to the mutual aid received from the College Station and Bryan, Texas EMS, Fire, and Police Departments, members of Texas Task Force 1, the state's elite emergency response team, arrived to assist the rescue efforts. "Natalie grew up with me and my friends, and so when they all heard, they were devastated," Sophia said. She said she wanted to speak out about fire safety to warn others about how easily things can go wrong and end in tragedy. Accelerant poured on the fire left both students with severe burns. Sophia drove overnight to be by Natalie's side. Former US President George H. W. Bush, his wife Barbara, Texas Governor George W. Bush, and his wife Laura attended the remembrance ceremony. RELATED: 12-year-old boy and his dog killed by wildfire in Oregon, RELATED: Young heroes rescue Marion man from burning home. "They went out on the deck and were out there making s'mores, and Natalie poured gas on the fire to make it bigger. He was in his 30s and from the Antiville area of Larne. Bigger, better, tougher? Some eyewitnesses say the collapse time was before 2:42 a.m. and that 2:42 was the time of the police report. "She's been here close to a month, and she honestly hasn't batted an eye, so she's doing great.". With the weather in full chill and Thanksgiving right around the corner, countless friend groups throughout the country will be planning their own holiday dinner to give thanks. "He told me to call everybody because she was not going to make it," Sarah said. At the stadium, fans relit their candles as the Parsons Mounted Cavalry fired the Aggie cannon twelve times, once for each victim. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. "Shes doing the best she can for the circumstances that they are," he said. "I am not 100% better. Despite their efforts, Layne had third-degree burns over 95% of her body, her mother said. She has a spirit like nobody else.". Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. Doctors have told Sarah they believe Natalie will be able to walk and should regain full mobility. Louise pleaded with people to stay safe and not take risks as bonfire night arrives and celebrations begin. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 25-year-old Natalie Smith was driving west on County Road 18 near Southwest 78th Place with 29-year-old Tyler Ritchie and another passenger around 11:37pm when, for unknown reasons, the 2007 Honda Accord went off road and onto the north shoulder. They were both med-flighted to Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee,. Authorities have said one of about 25 high-school-aged students at a party poured gasoline from a 5-gallon can onto the fire; that teenager was a boy who was also severely injured in the explosion, according to law enforcement. "I see a lot of success stories come out of Riley for us and our burn team," Dr. Hartman said. Nov. 18, 2019. will mark 20 years since the nearly 60-foot timber structure . Sarah said she wishes she'd had that conversation with Natalie. Louise, 39, and partner Carl Dover, 43, had used this method to dispose of old furniture and other waste several times before - but this time he was away with work. The . 2 teens burned in bonfire explosion reunited with medical responders Kaycee Nitta,17, is shown during the UMC Trauma Survivor's Celebration at Caesars Palace, 3570 S. Las Vegas Boulevard, on. [2], The Texas Board of Professional Engineers announced in 2000 that the Aggie Bonfire met the requirements to be considered a complex construction project subject to regulation under state engineering laws and would thus have had to be designed and overseen by a professional engineer. The university agreed to pay $2.1 million and promised that if the bonfire returned to campus that "engineering oversight" would be provided. On Nov. 18, just after 2:40 a.m., something went terribly wrong and the structure made up of about 5,000 trees collapsed. "It appears an 18-year-old boy who lived at the residence, a 16-year-old girl and another teenage couple as well, started a bonfire," Hancock Chief . "She is extremely tough. HOUSTON A Houston-area survivor of the deadly 1999 Texas A&M University bonfire collapse is recounting his story. Can severe weather cancel the Houston Rodeo? In 2002, Bowen announced that the bonfire was officially cancelled. In light of her accident, Louise has retrained as a hair and make-up artist, to help burn victims feel happy with their appearance. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. Every day, I see improvements, she said. Laynes mother, Leigh Ann Wirz Chesney, told CNN that Layne died Friday morning. "Every kid should get that when they survive a burn and they're coming home, said Zofkie. The tradition ended after the accident. She said only the soles of Laynes feet were not burned. [8], For two years, the university pondered options for reinstating the tradition. Several people received . Smith and Ritchie were transported to UF Health in Gainesville with non-life threatening injuries, while the other passenger was pronounced dead at the scene. Car accident in Union County leaves one dead, two injured, 'They got recalled': A health warning has been issued that links to raw shellfish in Cedar Key, Travel magazine names Devils Millhopper best waterfall in Florida. After gasoline was poured on the bonfire, the flames exploded and set both Natalie and her friend, James, on fire. Eventually, Louise's clothes were wet enough to extinguish the flames and she was able to briefly escape the torture she'd just endured. You have permission to edit this article. While the pair may have a long journey ahead, they won't make it alone. by He spent months in the hospital following amputation of his left leg and partial paralysis of his right side. She doesnt really know how her face looks under the dressing. "This year, I'm going to face my fears head on surrounded by my family, and speaking out about my accident is definitely a way of helping me accept what's happened.". See How All 50 Wards Voted in the 2023 Chicago Mayoral Election. [6], The university gave the National Forestry Hero Award to an employee of Steely Lumber Co., James Gibson, for rescuing students. The annual bonfire, which began in 1909, was the ultimate tradition for many people on Texas A&M's 5,200-acre campus in College Station, about 100 miles . GoFundMe pages have been set up for several of the victims. [15], Parents of students injured or killed in the collapse filed lawsuits against Texas A&M officials, including President Ray Bowen, Vice President of Student Affairs J. Malon Southerland, the 1999 redpots, and the university. Natalie's mom, Sarah Zofkie, was asleep when she got the call. A website raising money for Chesney's medical costs reached more than $23,000 Thursday evening. [9] Bowen's successor Robert Gates upheld this decision, stating that a "change in the status quo regarding the future of Bonfire would be inappropriate while litigation is still on-going". Georgia, who was upstairs at the time, came rushing down to the sound of Louise's screams, and filled up several jugs of water to frantically throw over her mother. Since Suffering Severe Burns During A Friendsgiving Bonfire Accident, This 19-Year-Old Has Been Sharing The Challenges And Triumphs Of Her Recovery Journey Online, 21-Year-Old Marsy Nicholas Was Months Away From Graduating College And Pursuing Her Dream Of Becoming A Special Education Teacher When She Was Stalked And Killed By Her Ex-Boyfriend In 1983, This 18-Year-Old Aspiring Journalist Got In Serious Trouble With Her High School And Parents For Heading To A Homeless Camp To Interview Their Former Star Football Player, She Was One Of The Highest-Paid Radio Actresses In Argentina Before She Became The First Lady, And She Played A Massive Role In Ensuring Women Were Given The Right To Vote, She Felt That Ballet Was Disappointing, So She Created Modern Dance, And Heres Her Interesting Story, She Has Wax Museums In Her Name Worldwide And Here Is The Fascinating Story Of Marie Tussaud, She Was The Youngest Survivor Of The Titanic Tragedy, Yet She Never Did Watch The Movie Starring Kate Winslet And Leonardo DiCaprio, She Dedicated Her Life To Those Who Did Not Have A Voice, And If Youre Passionate About Making The World A Better Place, You Might Find Her Story Inspirational, She Was A Pirate Who Sailed The Seas Of The Caribbean In The 18th Century. 93 Monday marks 14 years since the tragic collapse of the Aggie Bonfire that claimed 12 lives and injured 27 others on the Texas A&M University campus. "Dr. Hartman says you expect for every percent that she was burned [to equate to] a day in the hospital, so about 94 days. [1], The 59-foot-high (18m) stack, consisting of about 5,000 logs, collapsed during construction. Natalie, 11, had been critically burned in an accident around a fire pit at a friend's home. When the flames went out, one of the children or her Im not sure of the story accidentally or purposefully put more gas onto the fire to make it higher, Leigh Chesney said. Smith collided with a Toyota Tacoma driven by 30-year-old Natalie Swauger, of Seaside. Boyle and Smith remain hospitalized at Vanderbilt Hospital. Korryn hopes she wont need surgery. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. An explosion occurred. Over 40,000 people lit candles and observed up to two hours of silence at the site of the collapse, before walking to Kyle Field for yell practice. "Everything happened so fast from the moment I poured the petrol to the horror that came afterwards. Natalie Zofkie returned home from the hospital to a hero's welcome Wednesday. People have left food for the Zofkie family now that Sarah has returned to work while Natalie is still recovering in the hospital. "The scars on my body have healed as much as they ever will, but it's my mental health that's been damaged the most. He considers these things blessings that he knows 12 of his classmates will never experience. And seeing her come home is one of the best things I could have ever imagined.". Louise Chadwick suffered 13 severe burns on her shins, thighs, legs, feet, arms . One donation can save one life and our students are fully aware of how much of an impact their donations have now, said Thomson. [26] One of the students killed in the 1999 bonfire collapse was under the legal drinking age yet a toxicology test showed high blood-alcohol levels; however, lower readings in a second test and inconsistencies in the initial sampling and annotation methods led to questions about the accuracy of the original tests.[27][17]. The sophomore had planned to wear her hair in two French braids woven into a low bun, but her short brown locks were too badly singed in the blaze and had to be cut off. The 2023 season brings us several firsts: the first-ever groundcover shasta daisy,called Carpet Angel; annuals like Glimmer, a shade-tolerant, CMS advanced two proposed changes that could affect Medicare Advantage plans. "He called and said, 'Something terrible happened. . Natalie and her friends had feasted on traditional Thanksgiving sides before deciding to light up a cozy bonfire. Natalie's family is counting on her resilience for the grueling months ahead, but her mom is taking it one day at a time. It's like you always know you could get burned. After five minutes of unimaginable pain, with the help of her youngest daughter Georgia Mulbey, 19, Louise finally managed to put herself out. "Jamie was trying to help me get them off but he was in complete shock at what was happening. "Seeing her was really, really tough especially when you know how she's always been, which is so spunky, always a light in a room. That is why medical academy teacher Tyann Thomson and fellow teachers decided to organize a blood drive. [17] The plaintiffs pointed to a $2 million liability policy the university obtained in 1996 and accidental death and dismemberment insurance policies that the university obtained for student workers as early as 1987 as proof that the administrators knew of the dangers of the bonfire. NOBLESVILLE, Ind. However, the aftermath of the accident proved equally horrific as Louise suddenly realised the severity of her burns. Louise then slipped in the puddle of fluid and fell flat on her back, covering herself in petrol as she fell. James Boyle and Natalie Prescott suffered severe burns in the explosion and are still recovering. Twelve students were killed and another 27 were injured, including Bill Davis, a sophomore at the time. Students, including the entire Texas A&M football team and many members of the university's Corps of Cadets, rushed to the site to assist rescue workers with the manual removal of the logs. He stayed with me, instead of going to prom, she said. Zofkie spent five months in the hospital, including two months in a coma. Authorities have said one of about 25 high-school-aged students at a party poured gasoline from a 5-gallon can onto the fire; that teenager was a boy who was also severely injured in the explosion . Natalie, 11, had been critically burned in an accident around a fire pit at a friend's home. The Bachners said she was treated for almost two weeks at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, Ill., eight days in the intensive care unit and five days in the burn center. Photos from the night capture her smiling profile, the contours of her face smooth and unblemished. And she still feels it, her mother said. A Warner Bros. I guess the gas can had about this much left in it, and the fumes are what ignited and caused the fire," Sarah said. Before sunrise, the accident was the subject of news reports around the world. 303k Followers, 4,491 Following, 650 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Natalie Smith (@smithnathi) Natalie Smith (@smithnathi) Instagram photos and videos smithnathi In 1999, that game was against the University of Texas. "She is definitely a fighter. On November 18, 1999, a stack of over 5,000 logs collapsed on Texas A&M campus as students were building their annual bonfire before the Texas game on Thanksgiving day. I try to live in such a way that I would honor their memories and honor their lives, Davis said. Katharina Buczek Autumn is among four others in the Loyola burn unit. The gauze is applied to Korryns face almost like papier-mache, thin strips coated with a topical burn ointment. November 21, 2022, 7:00 am. He said about 20 percent of the burns they come across at Riley are from the exact same cause but said Natalie's are the worst he's seen. Natalie Zofkie suffered third-degree burns that covered most of her body after pouring gas on a fire to make it bigger. "For like almost a month, everyone thought I was going to die, said Zofkie. "I can't tell you how many times I've poured gas on a fire out of ignorance of the implications. According to the press release, charges are pending. But when Louise went to pour the petrol over the furniture, she didn't know that Jamie had already got the fire going - and the entire wardrobe burst into flames. A car accident late Friday night in Union County has left two injured and one dead. "It felt like I was burning for a lifetime, and I genuinely thought this is how my life is going to end.". The petrol can Louise was holding immediately caught fire and she dropped it on the floor, spilling it all over the grass. [4], Within minutes of the collapse, word of the accident spread among students and the community. Delivered straight to your inbox, our daily coronavirus briefing will keep you informed of what is happening with Covid, lockdown, the vaccination rollout and the impact on how we live. In a way, Im kind of carrying their flag.. 99% of her body was burned in the accident and is now on life support and in a medically induced coma. She's endured about a dozen surgeries and painful rehabilitation for her skin grafts. The man who died after an accident while helping to build a bonfire at a site in County Antrim has been named locally as John Steele. There were reportedly dozens of. So her friends and her date decided to surprise her by bringing the school dance to her Lombard home, greeting her with a pink bouquet and decorating her family room with a string of white lights. The TAMU administration declined to accept the money and returned the checks. James returned home from Vanderbilt's Burn Center in April after more than four months in the. With so much changing so quickly, keep on top of what is happening with the Mirror's news updates by email. Her older siblings brother, Andrew, from Dallas and sister, Sophia, in college rushed home to be by her side. The purpose of this page is to keep our community well informed while supporting local businesses & events! There's definitely a lot of pain and tears and it was very lonely. She said only the soles of laynes feet were not burned long ahead. 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