Wade Berzas, the sole survivor of last week's plane crash, is in critical condition.
Officials at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center held a press conference to update his condition.
According to OLOL, Berzas was brought to the hospital after the crash via ambulance suffering from burns over 75 percent of his body, a shoulder dislocation and lacerations to his head. He was concious, but because of his condition hasn't been able to answer any questions about the crash. He has undergone one surgery so far to assess his wounds, and is intubated, medically sedated and in critical condition.
Dr. Joey Barrios, director of the Lourdes burn unit, said Berzas has several factors in his favor.
"His young age, his overall good health, his strong family support and his unwavering faith. We have seen that family support makes a significant difference in the recovery of burn patients," Barrios said. "He has a long journey ahead, which we will take day by day."
Berzas was the single survivor of Saturday's plane crash. He's being described as a devout Catholic, devoted husband and father dedicated as well to preserving his culture. To read more about him, click here.
His family has issued the following statement:
The outpouring of compassion and encouraging words for Wade are deeply felt by our whole family. We are truly grateful to be held so strongly in prayer by this community.
We thank you for the special gift of prayers and rosaries dedicated to Wade's healing. Our hearts ache for our friends and the families affected by this tragic event.
Please offer us privacy in the days ahead as we give Wade our focused energy and loving support.
A small plane headed to the LSU game in Atlanta crashed in the parking lot of the post office on Pinhook Road Saturday morning. Five of the six people on board the plane were killed. It happened about a mile from the Lafayette Regional Airport near the intersection of Feu Follet and Verot school Road, just after 9:00 a.m.
Authorities say there was a small fire involving the plane and one vehicle was fully engulfed. Both fires were quickly extinguished and a search and rescue was conducted.
The plane was a Piper Fixed Wing Multi-Engine aircraft.
The people who died in the crash are: Ian E. Biggs, 51; Robert Vaughn Crisp II, 59; Carley McCord; Gretchen Vincent, 51; and Michael Walker Vincent, 15. Gretchen was Michael's mother. Biggs was the pilot. To read about the people who died, and see tributes posted by friends and family, click here.
Also injured in the crash was Danielle Britt, who was badly burned. She was bringing donuts to her husband, who works at the Post Office, when the crash happened. To read about a crowd funding account set up to help her, click here.
