MIAMI (WSVN) - Days after a Memorial Day boat explosion in Fort Lauderdale sent nearly a dozen people to the hospital, two boys are facing a difficult and painful road to recovery.
The brothers, ages 5 and 7, remain in serious condition at Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center with large portions of their bodies burned. Now their loved ones are asking for prayers.
Sylvia Rivera, the boys’ grandmother, spoke with 7News outside the hospital on Thursday.
“The older one, the 7-year-old, took the brunt of the hit. He’s – 80% of his body is burned, and the little one is 40% of his body is burned,” she said.
Rivera said she was stunned when she learned about the explosion and even more shaken when she saw the boys.
“Confused at first. I didn’t know what we were dealing with, but then, once I got here, I realized it was bad,” she said.
The two boys were among the 11 people hurt in Monday’s explosive accident along the Intracoastal Waterway. Good Samaritans rushed to help until first responders arrived.
A total of 10 victims were rushed to Ryder Trauma Center, including the children and their mother.
“It’s very traumatic, it’s been very hard. Eating is hard, so, I mean, it’s not easy,” said Rivera. “We’re trying to do the best we can as a family, you know. We have a lot of support, so that’s a good thing.”
According to family, the boys’ mother remains in in the intensive care unit but is improving.
The children’s father also suffered burns, but was treated and released from the hospital. Rivera said he’s trying to stay strong for his family.
“He’s hanging in there, you know; it’s ups and downs, you know,” said Rivera. “Likewise with the rest of the family. You know, you’re good, and then you’re bad.”
Rivera said her grandchildren could be in the hospital for at least four months.
“It’s very difficult. I just need people, if they could just pray for our grandbabies, you know, pray for their well-being, for their healing, that they can be out of here sooner than when the doctors are expecting,” said Rivera.
Officials with Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue said the cause of the explosion was fuel vapors igniting.
There is a GoFundMe page set up for the family to help with the children’s care and recovery. If you would like to make a donation, click here.
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