Good News

[AndyG]

This is the jump plane crash that happened in KZN earlier this year. John Young and I were in the air when it happened within a couple of kms of the incident and were overhead of the scene within 2 minutes. Looks like the little guy is going on to make a full recovery which is brilliant news.



By Gugu Mbonambi

Mitchell Greeff could only remember the word "milkshake" and his name when he was discharged after spending more than two months in hospital recovering from injuries sustained in a plane crash.

He called everybody around him "Mitchell" until he had learnt their correct names, said his mother, Gigi Chelin.

Mitchell, 10, of Morningside, Durban, was a passenger in a light aircraft which crashed at KwaXimba, near Cato Ridge, on February 14.

'His memory about his life is still there... '
Also on board were Mitchell's stepfather, Keith Chelin, Harold Braatvedt, the pilot Ernest Hulley, Scott MacMillan, and professional skydivers Michael Nyman and Andrew MacMillan.

Nyman and MacMillan had already jumped out of the craft when it crashed, killing Braatvedt, 84, of Durban.
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According to his mother, Mitchell was seated behind the pilot when the plane took off.

"He was on the harness so he could look through the back window of the plane. When the plane experienced problems, they unclipped Mitchell and Keith held on to him as the plane crashed," she said.

Mitchell broke his left leg, sustained cracks in the facial bones surrounding his right eye, and doctors had to operate on the inside of his eye.

'I love flying but when I grow up, I want to save animals'
He also suffered injuries to the left side of his brain and doctors inserted a tube into his throat to help him breathe.

His mother said it was a miracle that he was alive.

"Mitchell was in a coma at Mediclinic (Pietermaritzburg) for four weeks and was transferred to Entabeni Hospital, where he was in the intensive care unit for two days. He was then moved to the neurology ward for about a month and went to the Entabeni rehabilitation centre, where he was taught how to walk and talk," she said.

His father, Stuart Greeff, said Mitchell was still seeing a speech therapist and education psychologist. "His condition is improving at a very fast pace. But as far as his brain injury is concerned, he is attending a remedial school and has regressed two years from Grade 4 to Grade 2.

"We are waiting to get an education assessment on his progress and, when he is well enough, we want to get him back to a mainstream school environment," he said.

After Mitchell was discharged from hospital, his parents put up pictures in his room to help trigger his memory.

"His memory about his life is still there, but he had forgotten his alphabet and mathematics. His remedial teachers are great and we are confident that he will get better. He has such a positive attitude to getting better and is determined to move on," she said.

"Mitchell is truly a miracle and inspiration... He is our hero."

Mitchell, who went back to school in the second term, said he had started playing soccer again and was enjoying himself at school. He has attempted wakeboarding and took to the sky in a plane again three weeks ago.

"I only remember going up and flying and then the plane went down," he said of the crash.

"I love flying but when I grow up, I want to save animals," he said.

[Africa]

Thats Fantastic news Andy!!! Is there any news as to what the cause of engine failure was? I have heard fuel was contaminated but that was hear say

[skybound®]

The Pilot - Ernie got his medical back and recently passed his renewal/revalidation with us a few weeks back.

[Nkwazi]

Great news - always sad when a young un is hurt

[Tailspin]

Great News.

Glad to hear the Little one is getting back on his feet again.

[nicow]

Thanks for the info,Andy.