Recovery slow for teen severely burned in bonfire explosion. Accelerant poured on the fire left both students with severe burns. There were reportedly dozens of. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. A friend painted her nails a bright shade of pink to match the flowers on her dress, the flesh of her hands shiny and newly grown, still recovering from the burns. Korryn Bachner was among a dozen teens injured last month in a backyard fire pit explosion at the Glendale Heights, Ill., home of a friend. At half-time, the Texas Longhorn Band dedicated their performance to the students lost and injured in the collapse, and ended by playing "Amazing Grace" and "Taps", then removing their white hats in a show of respect as they walked off the field. But burn healing is a long, long process. After gasoline was poured on the bonfire, the flames exploded and set both Natalie and her friend, James, on fire. Hazel Green High School hosting blood drive to help students burned in fire, 59-year-old Florence man killed after being hit while riding bicycle, Many North Alabama residents experiencing power outages due to severe weather, Girl falls on bungee trampoline at Parkway Place Mall, At least 5 injured in fire-related incident in Hazel Green. Donations can also be made to "Angels of Natalie Zofkie." Zofkie reunited with friends who have prayed for months for her recovery. 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 . "93 percent of her body is burnt. In the early stages, many wondered if there would ever be a welcome home for her. The accident ended the bonfire as an annual campus tradition although students and alumni still hold the event off-campus without support from the university. 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. But, after this nineteen-year-old named Natalie attended her Friendsgiving event on November 25, 2019, her life changed forever. Within hours, 50 news satellite trucks were broadcasting from the Texas A&M campus. 2. "His mom told us not to play with the gas can, but we didn't listen, said Zofkie, who takes responsibility for the accident in which she suffered third-degree burns over 93 percent of her body. He said he was going to bring prom to me somehow no matter what., Korryns date had invited her to dance with an elaborate promposal.. She's tolerating everything we've done to her up to this point," Sarah said. The game began with a flyover of F-16 jets, all piloted by former A&M students, in the missing man formation. [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". CNNs By Hollie Silverman, Dave Alsup and Laura Diaz-Zuniga contributed to this report. "For like almost a month, everyone thought I was going to die, said Zofkie. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. 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. Natalie Zofkie left Riley Hospital for Children Wednesday morning after five months recovering from severe burns suffered Oct. 3 in a fire pit accident. Louise Chadwick suffered 13 severe burns on her shins, thighs, legs, feet, arms, hands and lower torso after starting a bonfire in her garden. At least eight people were injured in a fire that broke out in Glendale Heights last weekend--among them Autumn Hamilton. TAMECT alerted the University Police and University EMS, who dispatched all remaining university medics, and requested mutual aid from surrounding agencies. I never felt like I was going to die. Natalie pulled through that first night, then the first week and now the first month. Smith returned home several weeks ago. Zofkie was at a friend's house in Carmel that night making s'mores. I told them to go have fun for me, enjoy the night, she said in her family room, which was filled with balloons, flowers and get-well posters signed by friends. Nov. 18, 2019. will mark 20 years since the nearly 60-foot timber structure collapsed. Houston weather: What are SPC storm risk categories, threat levels? [2], A commission created by Texas A&M University discovered that a number of factors led to the bonfire collapse, including "excessive internal stresses" on the logs and "inadequate containment strength" in the wiring used to tie the logs together. But I'm just glad to be out.". Boyle and Smith remain hospitalized at Vanderbilt Hospital. So if I can do it, then you all can do it, because I am a wimp when it comes to pain.". And seeing her come home is one of the best things I could have ever imagined.". Natalie said she will home school for the rest of this semester, then plans to return to class for seventh grade in the fall. He spent months undergoing rehabilitation for a shattered femur, all while grappling with the nightmare he survived. "You know, 'You're not supposed to do things like that,' but you just don't think that's going to happen," Sarah said. TAMU president Ray Bowen stated "Texas A&M will not allow itself to become an agent for The Arizona Republic as it tries to manage the public criticism it is receiving. The tradition ended after the accident. You need to get to Riley,'" Sarah recalled. Two teens badly burned in bonfire mishap. She tells them her daughter is alive because of them. In total, the funds received exceeded US$250,000. The Burning Desire of Texas A&M Fifteen years after the horrific collapse that killed 12 students at Texas A&M, the Aggies are once again building -- and setting ablaze -- a monstrous conflagration. [2] Ten students and one former student were killed in the initial collapse, while another student died in the hospital the next day bringing the total deceased to twelve. A New Hampshire mother is dealing with the death of a child for the second time after one of her sons recently died from a bonfire accident. In 2002, Bowen announced that the bonfire was officially cancelled. But I don't know if I really deserved all that.". There, over a dozen seniors left behind their Aggie rings, permanently donating them to the students who did not live long enough to earn their own. It took over a year for her burns to heal, but the scars she has will stay with her forever, both physically and mentally. [14] Various organizations also established funds in memory of the victims and to help with expenses incurred because of the accident. Natalie Dempsey, a 21-year-old volunteer firefighter at the Mizpah Volunteer . And she still feels it, her mother said. "Any father or mother who sees their child in a burn unit, it's just a roller coaster of emotions," her uncle said. A woman engulfed in flames for five minutes in a freak accident has spoken of her horror ahead of Bonfire Night. Twelve students were killed and another 27 were injured, including Bill Davis, a sophomore at the time. A color guard stood at attention as the family car pulled into the driveway and Zofkie exited the backseat. [12], On November 25, 1999, the date that the bonfire would have burned, Aggies instead held a vigil and remembrance ceremony. Her older siblings brother, Andrew, from Dallas and sister, Sophia, in college rushed home to be by her side. On Nov. 18, just after 2:40 a.m., something went terribly wrong and the structure made up of about 5,000 trees collapsed. All rights reserved, WATCH: Procession Escorts Body of Fallen Chicago Officer From Hospital, Storm System Could Bring Rain, Snow, and Gusty Winds to Chicago Area Friday, Chicago Police Officer Shot and Killed on Southwest Side, Chicago Police Release Details of What Led to Officer's Fatal Shooting in Gage Park, Who Did Your Ward Vote For? Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed the remaining lawsuits against Texas A&M and its officials in April 2007. Copyright 2019 WAFF. "They went out on the deck and were out there making s'mores, and Natalie poured gas on the fire to make it bigger. Several people received burns and were shortly transported to nearby hospitals, authorities said. In light of her accident, Louise has retrained as a hair and make-up artist, to help burn victims feel happy with their appearance. People sent thousands of e-mails about the cartoon to the newspaper offices. "Having an injury like that, all of that tissue has to come off.". Korryn hopes she wont need surgery. Natalie Smith and James Boyle were burned at an outdoor fire in November. Korryn Bachner , 15, hugs her dog Nina at her home in Lombard on May 18. A color guard stood at attention as the family car pulled into the driveway and Zofkie exited the backseat. I dont know if I fell out of my seat, because of the impact.. Send an email to angelsofnataliezofkie@gmail.com for more information and to contribute. Glenbard East Hight School held a car wash raising proceeds for the survivors. You didnt think it was happening. An explosion occurred. [10], At noon, students held an impromptu prayer service in the center of campus, at Rudder Fountain. Daniel Hewey, 20, died from his injuries after he was . She has a spirit like nobody else.". And for her to survive and be here today is a true miracle.". 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. Zofkies mother, Sarah Zofkie, said her daughter is not expected to require further surgery. The blood drive will be held at the school on Monday, December 16th at the high school from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. "Obviously it was terrible, said Shane Hedrick, Carmel Fire Department EMT. "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 . It was always a mission to me of, 'Get me out of here.'. He was holding the gas can in his right hand resulting in the lost of the tips of all 10 fingers. Bowen formed a task force, which proposed a new design. [23], On November 19, 1999, The Arizona Republic released a political cartoon by Steve Benson titled "Texas Bonfire Traditions" that compared the collapse to the Waco siege of 1993 and the 1998 murder of James Byrd Jr.[24] This prompted criticism and negative reactions from the Texas A&M community, and the Republic removed the cartoon. He stayed with me, instead of going to prom, she said. After five minutes of unimaginable pain, with the help of her youngest daughter Georgia Mulbey, 19, Louise finally managed to put herself out. It was, like, unreal. I remember getting up to the second layer which is roughly 40-45 feet, Davis said. See How All 50 Wards Voted in the 2023 Chicago Mayoral Election. She doesnt really know how her face looks under the dressing. She poured gasoline on the fire to make it bigger. The Fightin' Texas Aggie Band also played a tribute to the victims and, contrary to the usual tradition, marched off the field in a silent cadence. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Her face was still cloaked in bandages and a knit tube dressing, with openings for her hazel eyes, nose and lips. She was engulfed in flames.. I guess the gas can had about this much left in it, and the fumes are what ignited and caused the fire," Sarah said. Anyone from the public is welcome to donate blood. Korryn was released from the hospital May 10, but her injuries meant she had to miss the remainder of the school year as well as her May 12 prom at Glenbard East High School. 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