12-year-old boy injured in Huntington Beach helicopter crash is on ‘strong path to recovery’
The family of a 12-year-old boy who was severely injured when a helicopter crashed in Huntington Beach earlier this month says he is now breathing on his own and showing promising signs of recovery.
Oliver Holland was at the beach on Saturday, Oct. 11, when a helicopter malfunctioned and crashed onto him, according to a GoFundMe page organized by his sister, Madeline Ashwell.
Holland suffered a collapsed lung and a brain bleed, Ashwell wrote. He was placed in a medically induced coma after surgery and awoke on his 12th birthday this past weekend, NBC reported.
Ashwell’s most recent update, posted to the fundraiser on Oct. 26, shared that her younger brother is now breathing without a ventilator. The GoFundMe campaign has raised more than $115,000 to help cover the family’s medical expenses.
“Oliver recognizes his family, is able to communicate with us, and has even begun to move parts of his body,” Ashwell wrote. “His doctors are very encouraged by his progress and believe he’s on a strong path toward recovery.”
Oliver Holland, now 12, suffered a brain bleed and collapsed lung when a helicopter crashed while he was spending the day in Huntington Beach on Oct. 11, his family wrote. (Courtesy of GoFundMe)
The helicopter, part of the Cars ‘N Copters’ event scheduled for the following day, went down shortly after 2 p.m. on Oct. 11 near the oceanfront Hyatt resort. Video shows the chopper spinning before it crashed into a stairwell attached to a pedestrian bridge connecting the hotel to a beachfront parking lot.
Ashwell wrote in an update that the family is “not blaming or accusing anyone.”
Holland, along with two others on the ground and both people aboard the helicopter, was injured in the crash.
The pilot, Eric Nixon, is known for his daring flight maneuvers. His father-in-law said Nixon suffered broken ribs, crushed vertebrae and multiple bruises. Nixon’s passenger said on social media that she is undergoing surgery for her injuries.
Further information about the other injured victims was not available.
“While there’s still a long road ahead, we’re beyond grateful for how far he’s come and for the steady improvements we’re seeing every day,” Ashwell wrote. “From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for continuing to keep Oliver in your thoughts and prayers.”
Holland’s family could not be reached for further comment. Nor could the pilot or his passenger.
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