I just got home from visiting my daughter and her family in Florida last Wednesday and this tragedy happened a few hours ago.

Got a phone call from my daughter who lives in Florida a couple of hours ago. My son-in-law got a phone call that his 6 year old daughter was killed in an auto accident near Lake Placid, Florida and his 5 year old son is in very critical condition. The ex wife is also critical. The third daughter (7 years old) stayed home with the maternal grandmother.

Got several more calls and as of now, my s-i-l is in Sebring at the hospital where they were taken. It is raining so hard there that they cannot life-flight the boy to Tampa. If they can stabilize him, they will take him via ambulance.

My daughter just got together with the paternal grandmother and will drive to either Tampa or Sebring as soon as more info is given. They are in Fort Myers right now.

Needless to say..........my daughter and s-i-l are basket cases at this time. Those kids are sweet and this is terrible for them to go through.

The police told my s-i-l that the ex wife was driving (can't remember the highway number) and hit water, hydroplaning into the other lane head on into the other vehicle. The car she was driving ( a Ford Focus)........in the police words.........."exploded" on impact and also killed the other driver instantly. The 6 year old daughter was killed instantly

Just got a call from my daughter as I was typing. The boy still is not stabilized enough for any transport at this time. They also need to get the mother to Tampa since she may be paralyzed.

I needed to talk to you........my friends about this. They can sure use prayers at this time.

I will keep you updated on what happens.

HappyDad (not too happy right now)

I am stopping to say prayers right now for them Happy Dad, I just read your post.

Our prayers are with you all.

I am praying for the little boy to get stabilized and that they life-flight him to Tampa. The weather here cleared up since a while now. (It is 9:00 pm now and I live close to Tampa.)

I will light some candles and keep on praying for him and his mother.

FaithinHislove

UPDATE............AFTER MIDNIGHT HERE

Hi everyone................

It is now 12:05 AM here in Pittsburgh and I just got home. I went to a very close friends house for support this evening. (a pastor friend) Part of the evening was spent watching the VMA Award Show between phone calls. (what did we ever do before cell phones?) I had to do something to get my mind off of what is happening.

I can't tell you how many phone calls I've been on all day. As of 9:15 this evening......my daughter called and said that LifeFlight was finally able to take off from Sebring to Tampa with little 5 year old Austin to get him to Tampa. The Dr. team in Sebring was finally abe to stabilize him for the flight. They took off at 8:25 PM in still questionable weather. Ron... my s-i-l was allowed to fly with them.

So far........the prognosis is............little Austin has multiple skull fractures and cannot breathe on his own. He is on a respirator to allow him to breathe. A few of the skull fractures are totally through the bone structure and have lacerated the brain. Right now, he is undergoing emergency surgery. They have to relieve the pressure on his brain for now.

Please forgive me if I seem to jump around on what I am saying. My emotions and tears are getting the best of me. I look at these kids as my own grandkids even though they are not my blood. They are giving Austin a 10 to 15 percent chance of living through the night, and if he does makes it through...............they say he will be permanently brain damaged. This is just too much to bear!

You can condemn me for what I am about to say, but I pray that he doesn't make it through if he has to be a vegetable.

My s-i-l's brother Don lives in Clermont, FL and is a paramedic at SeaWorld of Orlando. He worked with the head surgeons and nurses at the hospital in Tampa. He called ahead and they were all there when the helicopter landed. And he is now there to be with Ron (s-i-l)

I have two nephews who worked for my s-i-l for quite awhile who are still in the JW's...........but this is where I have said in other posts...................that this family who are JW do not even care that me or my daughter left the borg. They love us unconditionally. They moved to North Carolina this past spring but are driving down to FL tomorrow to help run s-i-l's business until this is over. I will be leaving for FL again in a few days.

Ron's daughter's name is Sierra. She was a beautiful and loving child and I will miss her.

I guess that is all I can say for now. I dread the night if my phone rings! Little Austin is a typical 5 year old boy. I need to be there for Ron..............I love him like my own son. I'm happy that he and my daughter are in love.........but very sad with all that is happening now.


Dad

HappyDad, I am pained to hear of the tragedy in your family. What an awful and senseless thing to have happened.

Please be assured that you and your family will be in our thoughts and prayers. If there is anything I can do personally, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Children are so precious. I cannot imagine a worse thing occurring.

Sometimes when something unexpected like this happens, we find ourselves short of money. Of course, I am not aware of your circumstances but if you need money, I have a little savings put away. Please do not be embarrassed to ask for assistance at this time. This will not be a loan. You can have it with my blessings. In fact, I want you to have it. Just let me know.

My heart goes out to you!

Happy Dad my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Thank you everyone. Here is the latest update.

Austin was operated on last night to repair some of the skull fracture. They put a steel rod in the skull for some reason I'm not sure of. His cheek bones are also fractured. The Dr.'s gave neurological tests this morning but cannot get any response from him. They are now reviewing the spinal x-rays taken in Sebring and plan on doing some type of spinal tests to see if there is response to these. He is on total life support since he cannot breathe on his own.

They told s-i-l this morning that if the spinal tests are negative, then there is permanent brain damage. A decision may have to be made to remove Austin from life support.

The mother went into cardiac arrest last night but was doing ok this morning. Dr.'s say that she will need surgery to repair some of her leg damage. The paralysis is not permanent. Mostly from the initial shock.

HD

Oh HappyDad, how terrible what you and your family are going through! I am praying for you now and will continue to pray for little Austin and his mother. Let's not forget to pray for their older sister, who has lost a sister and whose little brother and mother are still in the hospital. May the Lord give you strength at this time. I wish I had words of comfort, but I know nothing that can be said now will help much except that I will continue praying for you and for the best outcome for Austin. Sierra is in the Lord's arms now and safe. An extra large outpouring of love and prayer coming your way from all of us.

Blessings,

Mrs. R

Oh Happy Dad I wish I knew what to say! As a father of four and a grandfather of 11 my heart goes out to you and all of those involved. I will continue to pray for your family.

So sorry to hear this news, Happy Dad. This is truly such sad news. I'll keep the whole family in prayer. I only wish there was more that I could say or do.

CCGirl