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. "She's been here close to a month, and she honestly hasn't batted an eye, so she's doing great.". Although the cause of the incident is unknown at the time, authorities said they believe the explosion was a result of a flammable material that was poured onto a small fire in a fire pit in the backyard of a residence. 2. [22] The final lawsuit, filed against two companies that provided crane operators and cranes for the bonfire, was settled in April 2014. A woman engulfed in flames for five minutes in a freak accident has spoken of her horror ahead of Bonfire Night. After gasoline was poured on the bonfire, the flames exploded and set both Natalie and her friend, James, on fire. "She is extremely tough. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. The Carmel Fire Department responded to the emergency on that fall night last October. While she is expected to make a full recovery it is going to require a lot of help and time from her mom April and dad Michael. "My arms went up first, but things really got serious when I slipped and drenched myself in petrol fluid. This is probably the most exciting thing I've ever done in my life. A few days after the accident, Laynes mother told CNN affiliate WFOR, that her daughter and friends were roasting marshmallows that night at a friends backyard. It took over a year for her burns to heal, but the scars she has will stay with her forever, both physically and mentally. 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. 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. Shortly after the accident Louise was diagnosed with PTSD, which can be triggered by everyday activities including filling the car up with petrol. She was airlifted to hospital as a result of her injuries and spent the next two weeks in intensive care. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. Twelve students were killed and another 27 were injured, including Bill Davis, a sophomore at the time. Natalie, 11, had been critically burned in an accident around a fire pit at a friend's home. Zofkie spent five months in the hospital, including two months in a coma. 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. 489 were here. [2][5] The Texas A&M civil engineering department was also called on to examine the site and help the workers determine the order in which the logs could be safely removed, and, at the request of the Texas Forest Service, Steely Lumber Company in Huntsville, Texas, sent log-moving equipment and operators. The mum of two suffered third degree burns all over her lower body and arms leaving her in need of a skin graft. Discovery Company. "He called and said, 'Something terrible happened. The original goal on the GoFundMe page was set for $20,000, but has been increased to $25,000 . He spent months undergoing rehabilitation for a shattered femur, all while grappling with the nightmare he survived. [13], The Bonfire Memorial Commission collected the hundreds of thousands of items that were left by grieving visitors at the site of the collapse. "Dr. Hartman says you expect for every percent that she was burned [to equate to] a day in the hospital, so about 94 days. Daniel Hewey, 20, died from his injuries after he was . First responders led the welcome home parade for 12-year-old Natalie Zofkie Wednesday. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). 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. HOUSTON A Houston-area survivor of the deadly 1999 Texas A&M University bonfire collapse is recounting his story. Before sunrise, the accident was the subject of news reports around the world. It absolutely reinforced in me the importance of life and the importance of relationships over everything else.. Officials have not released the names of the victims; the Bachners described the teens as having varying degrees of injuries, some still hospitalized. 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. "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. As . Ellen Bachner said the doctors are waiting to see how much the burns will heal on their own. It was an homage to this years prom theme: a night of a thousand lights. Natalie's mom, Sarah Zofkie, was asleep when she got the call. "One of the worst things you could ever imagine, especially with a little girl. First truckloads of contaminated waste dumped in Putnam County landfill, IMPD releases edited bodycam of man shot, critically injured by officers after chase, Wednesday evening Live Doppler 13 forecast March 1, 2023, Live Doppler 13 Weather Blog: Heavy rain, storms return Friday, 12-year-old boy and his dog killed by wildfire in Oregon, Young heroes rescue Marion man from burning home. 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.. Current and former students debated whether the proposed division of labor could be considered a student project. Copyright 2019 WAFF. Glendale Heights police are still investigating and would not comment on the case, though they have said they dont believe the incident was malicious. 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. [6], The university gave the National Forestry Hero Award to an employee of Steely Lumber Co., James Gibson, for rescuing students. That is why medical academy teacher Tyann Thomson and fellow teachers decided to organize a blood drive. She wore the dress shed selected before the fire a black off-the-shoulder top with a floral-patterned flowing skirt, with a shimmery necklace and matching bracelets adorning her neck and wrists. Who is moving in and out of your neighborhood? Sophia drove overnight to be by Natalie's side. Her uncle Dan told NBC 5 Thursday night she's in a medically induced coma and fighting for her life. "Any father or mother who sees their child in a burn unit, it's just a roller coaster of emotions," her uncle said. Sign up for Chip Chicks newsletter and get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. Second- and third-degree burns cloaked her hands, neck and face, they said. For information about the documentary, including showtimes and locations, click here. [16] In one of the six lawsuits, plaintiffs alleged that A&M officials violated the bonfire victims' right of due process by placing those victims in a "state-created danger" by not ensuring the bonfire's structural integrity and by allowing unqualified students to work on the stack. Nov. 18, 2019. will mark 20 years since the nearly 60-foot timber structure collapsed. A Warner Bros. Doctors have told Sarah they believe Natalie will be able to walk and should regain full mobility. GoFundMe pages have been set up for several of the victims. "[25], Detractors further blamed the school for the accident, saying that, in the name of tradition, administrators turned a blind eye to an unsafe structure being constructed with minimal engineering and safety protocols. [10], At noon, students held an impromptu prayer service in the center of campus, at Rudder Fountain. She longs to return to the varsity cheerleading squad and sometimes attends practice to be supportive, though its hard to watch everyone else doing what she loves when she cant participate. 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. "Obviously it was terrible, said Shane Hedrick, Carmel Fire Department EMT. 303k Followers, 4,491 Following, 650 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Natalie Smith (@smithnathi) Natalie Smith (@smithnathi) Instagram photos and videos smithnathi The fall is the time of year when families and friends huddle around fire pits and bonfires, but a Noblesville family almost lost their 11-year-old daughter because of an accident. But I pulled through.". Here's what to know. 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. Louise then slipped in the puddle of fluid and fell flat on her back, covering herself in petrol as she fell. Layne Chesney was 14 years old and a star softball player when the accident happened in Fort Pierce. [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. 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 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. MADISON COUNTY, Ala. - In November 2019, James Boyle and Natalie Skye were burned in an explosion during a bonfire. The wiring broke after logs from upper tiers were "wedged" into lower tiers. accidental death and dismemberment insurance, "Unlit bonfire collapse at Texas A&M kills at least 4, injures 25", "Aggie medics recount stories of sorrowful day", "More than memories remain for some survivors of collapse", "Rescuer who helped bonfire victims honored", "A&M spends $292,000 after bonfire collapse", "Gates: Bonfire will not burn in Autumn 2003", "Suits claim A&M tried to skirt Bonfire liability", "Court says A&M is not liable in Bonfire lawsuit", "Appeals Court Upholds Dismissal of Lawsuits Over Texas A&M Bonfire Accident", "Supreme Court won't hear Texas A&M bonfire appeal", "Texas A&M settles lawsuit over bonfire deaths", "Last of lawsuits over A&M bonfire collapse is settled", "Slideplayer # 7 Editorials & Features When it's OK to have opinion in a story", "The Aggie Bonfire Tragedy Texas Monthly", The Special Commission on the 1999 Bonfire, The Special Commission on the 1999 Bonfire Final Report, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=1999_Aggie_Bonfire_collapse&oldid=1142363315, Excessive internal stresses on logs and inadequate wiring strength on ties, This page was last edited on 2 March 2023, at 00:23. 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 is front right. Everybody has hung out with her, babysat her, done something.". Aggie students, who normally sit only when the opposing band plays, stood throughout both performances and gave both standing ovations. She recently gained her industry qualifications with the help of her daughters, and can't wait to see where her new career take her in the future. Recovery slow for teen severely burned in bonfire explosion. Bachner, a sophomore at Glenbard East High School, was was released from the hospital earlier in May after being treated for 2nd and 3rd degree burns on her face and head. "Everything happened so fast from the moment I poured the petrol to the horror that came afterwards. You need to get to Riley,'" Sarah recalled. Websites in favor of the bonfire continuing: Coordinates: .mw-parser-output .geo-default,.mw-parser-output .geo-dms,.mw-parser-output .geo-dec{display:inline}.mw-parser-output .geo-nondefault,.mw-parser-output .geo-multi-punct{display:none}.mw-parser-output .longitude,.mw-parser-output .latitude{white-space:nowrap}303722N 962007W / 30.6227N 96.3352W / 30.6227; -96.3352 (Bonfire Memorial)- Bonfire Memorial, Recovery operation the morning after the incident. 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. 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 . Natalie Zofkie suffered third-degree burns that covered most of her body after pouring gas on a fire to make it bigger. Theres a form of survivors guilt, for sure, she said. So if I can do it, then you all can do it, because I am a wimp when it comes to pain.". What was supposed to be a nice end to the evening and warm everybody up, though, quickly turned into a tragedy. NOBLESVILLE, Ind. There is not a day that goes by that in some way Im not thinking about the bonfire, Davis said. 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. A Carmel Fire Department engine led the parade of more than 50 vehicles Wednesday through a Noblesville neighborhood to escort 12-year-old Natalie Zofkie home from the hospital. Then, she'll get to come home and then, we'll go back to Riley three or four days a week for physical therapy with her," Sarah said. "You go from high to low, almost angry to sad.". Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. Several people received . You didnt think it was happening. Example video title will go here for this video. [21], On October 28, 2008, Texas A&M settled the final lawsuit filed against them by the fire victims and their families. And for her to survive and be here today is a true miracle.". Two teenagers were injured in Leetown Friday evening -- one grievously -- after a bonfire accident, officers of the Hancock County Sheriff's Office said. "I wouldn't wish what happened to me upon my worst enemy and I hope everyone out there stays safe this bonfire night.". In 1999, that game was against the University of Texas. Natalie said she will home school for the rest of this semester, then plans to return to class for seventh grade in the fall. Smith collided with a Toyota Tacoma driven by 30-year-old Natalie Swauger, of Seaside. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much [6] John Comstock was the last living person to be removed from the stack. The film details the Bonfire collapse, follows the survivors and honors those who died. It's like you always know you could get burned. 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. 2023 Cable News Network. "If the skin grafts take, we're still not out of the woods yet. Right now, Boyle needs seven blood transfusions. Zofkie family photo. A website raising money for Chesney's medical costs reached more than $23,000 Thursday evening. To her mother, the raw, new skin appears a little bit better each time the dressing is removed and replaced. So, with the help of Jamie as some extra muscle, they moved the wardrobe into the garden and set it alight. Her date, a close friend and Glenbard East senior, spent the rest of the night watching movies with Korryn on her couch. {{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. [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. The petrol can Louise was holding immediately caught fire and she dropped it on the floor, spilling it all over the grass. 1:17 AM EDT, Sun May 12, 2019, Teen gravely injured at marshmallow roast (2018), a Facebook page for her supporters reported Friday. "She is definitely a fighter. Eventually, Louise's clothes were wet enough to extinguish the flames and she was able to briefly escape the torture she'd just endured. Its not too bad to talk about, she said. 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. "They went out on the deck and were out there making s'mores, and Natalie poured gas on the fire to make it bigger. Davis was buried, pinned in a small cavity with several broken bones and a collapsed lung. But I don't know if I really deserved all that.". With so much changing so quickly, keep on top of what is happening with the Mirror's news updates by email. 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. On December 1, the newspaper sent a total of $10,000 in two checks as a peace offering to the university, with $5,000 to the Bonfire Memorial Fund and $5,000 to the Bonfire Relief Fund. It. [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. 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