Natalie Zofkie returned home from the hospital to a hero's welcome Wednesday. But the teens had agreed that Korryn would enjoy the end-of-the-year traditional dance in some fashion, even if they had to hold a makeshift prom in the hospital, recalled her mother, Ellen Bachner. Louise, from Radcliffe, Manchester, said: "At first I was in complete shock. It was a tradition that spanned decades; students would spend months constructing a massive log tiered tower to be burned on campus before a rivalry football game. New documentary examines cause of Texas A&M bonfire collapse 20 years later, 17 years later: Aggies remember bonfire tragedy, Mourners recall 1999 Texas A&M bonfire accident. A color guard stood at attention as the family car pulled into the driveway and Zofkie exited the backseat. "She's the community little sister. ", Sarah said Dr. Brett Hartman, medical director of Riley Hospital for Children's burn unit, told her Natalie's burns covered 96 percent of her body. Natalie and her friends had feasted on traditional Thanksgiving sides before deciding to light up a cozy bonfire. Sign up for Chip Chicks newsletter and get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. The tradition ended after the accident. A GoFundMe was started to raise money for the hospital expenses. Natalie's mom, Sarah Zofkie, was asleep when she got the call. She said she wanted to speak out about fire safety to warn others about how easily things can go wrong and end in tragedy. Doctors have told Sarah they believe Natalie will be able to walk and should regain full mobility. It was an homage to this years prom theme: a night of a thousand lights. Its painful, excruciating, she said, closing her eyes and cringing at the memory of the daily ritual. The wiring broke after logs from upper tiers were "wedged" into lower tiers. "I see a lot of success stories come out of Riley for us and our burn team," Dr. Hartman said. "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. Only after all of the rescue workers and family members had left the facility did the audience depart. The bonfire was set alight in the back garden to burn old furniture, Louise suffered horrendous burns in the blaze, Louise with daughter Georgia Mulbey and partner Carl Dover, The horrific burns which scarred Louise's body, The painful burns needed urgent hospital treatment, Louise recovering from her injuries after the accident in 2017, The burns to Louise's body were extensive, Louise did not know the burns would scar her for life both physically and mentally, Face masks must be worn in pubs to stop Christmas lockdown, says top scientist, Mum weighing 25st who'd never seen upstairs of her house loses half body weight. Zofkies mother, Sarah Zofkie, said her daughter is not expected to require further surgery. She tells them her daughter is alive because of them. Sophia drove overnight to be by Natalie's side. 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.. [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. Some nights in the hospital brought nightmares, she recalled, her mind replaying images of the fire. You don't know you could get burned to a point where you may not live.". Twelve students were killed and another 27 were injured, including Bill Davis, a sophomore at the time. 99% of her body was burned in the accident and is now on life support and in a medically induced coma. "Obviously it was terrible, said Shane Hedrick, Carmel Fire Department EMT. Zofkie family photo. 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. Every day another layer comes off, which is what we need to get down to that fresh skin, which is so painful. "You know, 'You're not supposed to do things like that,' but you just don't think that's going to happen," Sarah said. "Natalie grew up with me and my friends, and so when they all heard, they were devastated," Sophia said. I guess the gas can had about this much left in it, and the fumes are what ignited and caused the fire," Sarah said. A firefighter who was killed in a Christmas Day car crash while heading to an emergency call was laid to rest Sunday. It. The gentle dabs of gauze feel like shards of glass on the 15-year-olds cheek. HAZEL GREEN, Ala. (WAFF) - Students and faculty at Hazel Green High School are going the extra mile to help their own. Zofkie left Riley Hospital for Children Wednesday morning after five months recovering from severe burns suffered Oct. 3 in a pit fire accident. "Every day that goes by I still think about what happened," Louise said. It's like you always know you could get burned. I'm just glad that people came. I never felt like I was going to die. Glendale Heights police are still investigating and would not comment on the case, though they have said they dont believe the incident was malicious. Her older siblings brother, Andrew, from Dallas and sister, Sophia, in college rushed home to be by her side. He stayed with me, instead of going to prom, she said. "My arms went up first, but things really got serious when I slipped and drenched myself in petrol fluid. Laynes mother, Leigh Ann Wirz Chesney, told CNN that Layne died Friday morning. This flyover was donated by US Senator Phil Gramm who, as an elected official, had the title of a flyover reserved for his death and asked that the fly-over be given instead in the honor of the 12 Aggies that died. "Those kids are some of the most resilient kids I see.". "Having an injury like that, all of that tissue has to come off.". She also has an extreme phobia of any kind of open flame - making fireworks and bonfire night a terrifying occasion. [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. 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. While grappling with the tragic accident, though, Natalie never shied away from sharing her story and educating the community about what its like to be a burn survivor. Family says she's shaken her head "yes" and "no," waved at loved ones and reached out with her hand. 303k Followers, 4,491 Following, 650 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Natalie Smith (@smithnathi) Natalie Smith (@smithnathi) Instagram photos and videos smithnathi 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. Louise Chadwick suffered 13 severe burns on her shins, thighs, legs, feet, arms, hands and lower torso after starting a bonfire in her garden. Layne Chesney was 14 years old and a star softball player when the accident happened in Fort Pierce. "I wouldn't wish what happened to me upon my worst enemy and I hope everyone out there stays safe this bonfire night.". Daniel Hewey, 20, died from his injuries after he was . [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 firefighters who treated Zofkie at the scene welcomed her home, leading the parade that provided the Zofkie an escort for the last few miles to her home. The debate was rendered moot when the university discovered liability insurance for the revamped project would cost more than $2 million per year. People sent thousands of e-mails about the cartoon to the newspaper offices. On Friday, a documentary called "The 13th Man, a Charlie Minn Film" will open at seven Houston-area theaters. [6], The university gave the National Forestry Hero Award to an employee of Steely Lumber Co., James Gibson, for rescuing students. It took over a year for her burns to heal, but the scars she has will stay with her forever, both physically and mentally. She sits in the bathtub to keep warm, a heater on full blast raising the temperature in the bathroom as she shivers. Can severe weather cancel the Houston Rodeo? "93 percent of her body is burnt. "It was less than a 30-minute drive, but it felt like we were never going to get there," Sarah said. For information about the documentary, including showtimes and locations, click here. Accelerant poured on the fire left both students with severe burns. {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}, Nebraska cheerleader competes by herself at state competition, but crowd doesn't let her feel alone, READ THE DOCUMENTS: Akorn's Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing, UAW, Caterpillar reach tentative agreement, Decatur workers file class action lawsuit against Akorn, LSA to become Unity Christian School this summer, Akorn files for bankruptcy, hit with class action suits, Judge change in Decatur couple child rape and porn case, Decatur Public Schools announces new diversity, equity, and inclusion superintendent, Decatur man prints himself a gun, police say, Two candidates withdraw from Decatur school board race, Decatur police: Driver too drunk to tell 'park' from 'reverse', Akorn closing Decatur, all US operations; stuns workers, city leaders, Fleeing Decatur driver had child in car, police say, Wife attacks husband; now he needs surgery, Search the latest Macon County real estate transfers. 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. 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. At approximately 2:42a.m.[a] on November 18, 1999, the annual Aggie Bonfire at Texas A&M University collapsed during its construction, killing 12 people and injuring 27. Current and former students debated whether the proposed division of labor could be considered a student project. Natalie said she will home school for the rest of this semester, then plans to return to class for seventh grade in the fall. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. 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