Doctors Remove Left Eye Of Woman Severely Injured In Texas Plane Propeller Accident

A few weeks ago, a 23-year-old online fashion magazine editor and sometime model accidentally walked into the moving propeller of a small plane, suffering serious injuries. Lauren Scruggs's left hand was severed, and yesterday her family announced that doctors removed her left eye.

According to a posting on CaringBridge, "The surgery consisted of removing her left eye, which included nerves. The doctors were excited about the surgery and said everything went as planned and unbelievably well... We believe Jesus has answered our prayers for this miracle through the prosthesis for her eye, which will be a part of our journey and the healing process. Along with the pain she was already experiencing with her arm and shoulder injuries, the removal of the left is also very painful. We are asking again for prayer to relieve this pain, and also, as we have posted previously, pray for Lo to regain her appetite. This is crucial for her body to heal quickly." And today, her mother wrote, "As I sat with my sweet Lo in the middle of the night last night, we talked a little. She was so sweet, telling me how much she loved me and wanting me to hold her hand. Her pain subsided for a little while, but then returned, excruciating."

On December 3, Scruggs, who had briefly lived in NYC and interned for Gossip Girl and MIchael Kors, had been in a two-seater 2011 Aviat Husky A-1C-180 to see holiday lights. After landing in McKinney, Texas, she walked into the propeller, getting hit on the left side of her body. A few days after her accident, her father told ABC News, "She looked at herself for the first time today in a mirror. That was big. She looked and said, 'It's not that bad.' So that was really encouraging."

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in News on December 15, 2011 6:32 PM

Comments [rss]

JacksBack72

Geez- Too bad Jesus was off-duty when this poor young girl was about to walk into a turning airplane propeller. . . or maybe he was preoccupied by making sure the Tebow of the Denver football team came out on top against the opposition team. . . and let's not forget getting Denver to the Super Bowl- and winning that too!!

But, Hey! Even Jesus needs a day off now and again. . . miracle-working is a big job- turning water into wine (Chianti or Chardonnay?!) and then fishes in to bread (Rye or Whole Wheat?!)~~
and coming up with game-winning 51-yard 3-point conversions!!

Also, Maybe Jesus didn't quite understand the true meaning of: '. . .keeping an eye out for you'!! After all- he was only human- for godsakes!!

TWaller

Sweet Jeebus!

galaxytime

why do we always blame the victim? perhaps she was standing next to others and leaned in closer than anyone. or maybe it wasn't a brilliant idea to be there in the first place. we've all done stupid things, except this poor woman's life has drastically changed. just hope her pain lessens.

Brenda Tobias

I'm confused, are the surgeons actually thanking Jesus?

Angelaelle

No, the surgeons were excited surgery went well, it's the mom who is thanking Jesus. It's more clear when you read the actual Caring Bridge entry.

Guest

If so, is that a problem?

Brenda Tobias

I found the sentence to be written in such a way that I wasn't sure who was making the statement.

Guest

Gotcha. Sorry if I seemed a bit perturbed. I'm just sick and tired of the attacks from atheists lately. They have absolutely nothing to gain from it, and yet they persist like bullies with nothing better to do.

SuperWittySmitty

Sometimes, releasing a public statement to the national news regarding a tragedy and you thank Jesus, yes, that could be problematic. I think this is a distorted view of the role Jesus plays in our lives, or in the lives of most Christians. We suffer and thank Jesus for giving us the strength to endure the suffering? It's this kind of approach that scares people away from appreciating the role he can play in our lives. Just my opinion- I do not mean to offend anyone. But I do not think Jesus was involved in this incident. But Satan? Oh yeah!

cr17

Bad enough you could die in a freak accident (like an elevator mishap) but why you'd go up in a small plane for absolutely no reason is beyond me.

pendejito

She had to go see "holiday lights"

Drunk Guy

You are probably 10,000 times more likely to get seriously injured or killed crossing a NYC street than you would be going up in a small plane. This was a ground incident that was completely avoidable.

swampyankeesmom

she's lucky to be alive.

TeddyNYC

Hopefully, she'll realize that. Some people never fully recover emotionally from injuries like that. I wish her luck. In 1987, my mom and I took a seaplane from St. Croix to St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands. I remember how strict the seaplane base personnel were when to came to where the passengers walked, staying far away from the propellers. Actually, I think I recall following a painted line on the tarmac from the small terminal to the seaplane's door. I remember a similar situation at a Las Vegas airport when I took a sightseeing tour to the Grand Canyon about 10 years ago.

theflaminlamaeo

once again, this is sad and upsetting and I hope she recovers, but how is this nyc news?

Rocknrope

On December 3, Scruggs, who had briefly lived in NYC and interned for Gossip Girl and Michael Kors"

That's more than enough when the story includes an attractive blonde and an accident involving a propeller blade.