Girl Injured In Thrill Ride Fall Leaves Madison Hospital

12-Year-Old Transferred To Hospital In Florida

Updated: 6:39 pm CDT September 2, 2010

A 12-year-old girl who fell about 100 feet to the ground in a Wisconsin Dells amusement park ride last month left American Family Children's Hospital in Madison on Wednesday and was transferred to a hospital closer to her Florida home.

article READ: State Report Blames Operator Error For Amusement Park Injury

Teagan Marti, of Parkland, Fla., had been treated at the hospital since she fell on July 30 from the Terminal Velocity ride at the Extreme World amusement park in Lake Delton. She hit the ground in the free-fall ride after nets and air bags that were supposed to catch riders weren't raised.

Doctors have said she suffered numerous injuries to her brain, spine, liver and other organs and might be paralyzed. The girl has had several surgeries already, including pelvic and back surgery, WISC-TV reported.

Hospital officials said she was in fair condition on Wednesday when she flew by air ambulance to Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami. Jackson Memorial is a teaching hospital for the University of Miami's School of Medicine.

The girl will stay in the hospital's intensive care unit, and her family says she is stable, but has a long road ahead.

Her family spoke about the ordeal in Miami and expressed relief to be back in Florida. The girl's parents, Alex and Julie Marti, said they are grateful for the care given to their daughter, as well as thoughts, prayers and gifts sent by people from all over the country. They said that they were trying to celebrate the girl's 13th birthday this weekend.

"She was smiling," said Stuart Grossman, the family's attorney. "You can tell she was happy to be home. She's going to have her 13th birthday on Saturday and you know, it's a blessing to bring her back."

"She's doing a lot better than we all expected. It was a horrible scene. It was a long 30 days, and we're just very happy to be home," said Alex Marti.

The Marti family is expected to speak with the media on Thursday to discuss their plans for Teagan's treatment and a possible lawsuit being filed.

Chuck Carnell, the amusement park employee operating the ride at the time of the accident, has been charged with felony reckless injury in the incident. The felony first-degree reckless injury charge carries a maximum sentence of up to 25 years in prison.

Comments

Links We Like

Sponsored Links

Advertise With Us Advertise With Us

Local News

Wisconsin elections officials have unveiled the previously secret location where workers are checking an estimated 1.9 million signatures on petitions seeking the recalls of Gov. Scott Walker and five others. More Details


Advertise With Us

Survey

Did you bag a deer while hunting this season?
Results | Disclaimer | E-Mail

E-Mail News

Get E-Mail News Headlines When YOU Want Them
 National Breaking News
Daily Weather Forecast 5:30 a.m.
Noon News