The lone surviving passenger from Saturday’s fatal plane crash in Lafayette that killed five people remains in critical condition, but there is hope Wade Berzas will survive despite burns to over 75-percent of his body. Doctor Joey Barrios, medical director of the Our Lady of Lourdes Burn Unit, says Berzas is recovering after undergoing a two-hour surgery Monday.
“Mr. Berzas has several things working in his favor, his young age, his overall good health, his strong family support, and his unwavering faith,” said Barrios.
Barrios says Berzas faces an extensive recovery, but he’ll receive around the clock care.
“Burns do evolve, what we see the first day is not what we get in day two or three or even a week later,” said Barrios.
Berzas also has a dislocated shoulder and lacerations to his head. But Barrios says Berzas is 37-years-old which helps, plus he was in good health before the crash.
“Another thing certainly working in his favor, he did not have an inhalational injury, which means a burn into his lungs, which certainly would have made his situation much more critical,” said Barrios.
Barrios says Berzas has not spoken about his near-death experience as he’s on a breathing tube and medically sedated.
