Skye is out of surgery and it is grim. Her colon was completely destroyed. Her spleen and liver was also damaged. She also has a severed abdominal muscle from seatbelt lacerations. Her hands and her face are burnt ( 2nd and 3rd degree ). She is being completely and thoroughly sedated for the remainder of the night. We are told that the bleeding is under control for now and that the surgical team will be going in again tomorrow around 1:00.
She HAS BEEN conscious ( in and out but coherant )at some point. She specifically asked her "meema" to pray and ask Jesus to help her because she hurt "really bad" and that she has recollection of the accident itself ( she recalls her friend's shoe being melted into her foot from the intense heat of the fire in the automobile ). Her coherence is a good sign we are told. I am under the understanding that her head trauma is not as significant as her other internal injuries.
Still no word on the other girls. Hospital personel indicate that they are not doing well at all. I know from my own experience that their attending physician Dr. Michael Peck, cheif surgeous at UNC Burn Center is a wonderful man and will do all within his power to treat them with the best of care. ( He was my daughter's Dr. while she was there being treated for burns 2 years ago ). We are praying that the Lord will guide him n their care.
The driver of the car that hit them was traveling at a high rate of speed on a one way street ( she was going the wrong way ). Reports coming to us indicate that this woman was a single mom who was traveling with her own 12 yo child. Both were killed.
Someone who can get news from a Rocky Mount, NC source may be able to get better details of the accident itself than I can.
I am going to try to rest some tonight so I doubt I will be able to post another update till morning. From the depths of my being I thank each and every person praying, not only for Skye but for the others as well. May the Lord bless each one of you for directly helping my family through this by sustaining us with your prayers.
If you have no objection, I will light a large candle for her recovery, tomorrow at Mass. (I am Roman Catholic, we do this).
Most Merciful Father, I now earnestly beseech you for the recovery of Skye Russell, and the peace and comfort of her family. I ask your divine intercession in her return to health. This I pray in the name of the Father, The Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Greg Moore
Keep us posted.
Stay well - Stay safe - Stay armed - Yorktown