Accident victim returns after treatment in US
He’s not the first and sadly, he won’t be the last teenager who’s had to be airlifted out of the country for medical attention. News Five was at the intersection of St. Thomas Street and Princess Margaret Drive on the night of October 27th when a car, carrying 16 year old Duane Cano and his friend, Omar Zelaya, crashed into a trooper, leaving them both in critical condition. Cano was later rushed to Jackson Memorial Hospital in Florida for further treatment. Doctors warned his family to pray for the best, but prepare for the worst. And so it was with light hearts that today, News Five was again with Duane Cano, but this time, it was at the Philip Goldson International Airport when he came home.
Mario Cano, Father
“I’m overwhelmed. Words cannot say how I feel right now but surely, I’m happy.”
Janelle Chanona, Reporting
This healthy looking young man bears no resemblance to the bloody and bruised body that was airlifted to the United States that fateful night in October.
Mario Cano
“When he left Belize, he had three cracks to the skull, he had two veins inside the brain clot, his left arm was badly broken and his left foot was badly broken. They had to amputate six inches below the knee. He has come a long way; he’s doing good at the present moment. He has still has problem with the ear and with the eye but I’m sure we have good doctors back home here that can take care of that.”
“We have a long road ahead of us, financially, to reach and accomplish. We have all the bills, doctor bills, coming in. Of course with the help of the friends and the fundraising that we did, it was so helpful to assist him immediately while he needed the attention. But yes, we’ll be working hard to pull together whatever best we could, you know.”
Judy Vasquez, Aunt
“And last but never the least, the Lord Almighty and all the many friends, who prayed for him daily and lifted him up to the Lord because without any doubt, without God he would not be here with us today.”
Janelle Chanona
“How are you feeling right now?”
Duane Cano, Accident Victim
“Much better than before.”
Janelle Chanona
“Do you remember anything from that night?”
Duane Cano
“No, I can’t remember the accident.”
Janelle Chanona
“What’s your first order of business now that you’re home?”
Duane Cano
“Relax. Crack back (laughs).”
Janelle Chanona for News Five.
The list is long but the Cano family would like to give their heartfelt gratitude to everyone who assisted them in so many different ways during their time of need.
