Firstcoast411 Search
Sponsored by:
ABC Video Player - Watch ABC Shows Online ABC News Video Player WJXX ABC 25 Programming Schedule Watch NBC Shows Online WTLV NBC 12 Programming Schedule

Boat Crash Victims Have No Memory of Crash

 Jackelyn Barnard  Dave Wax     Created: 4/24/2009 4:31:06 PM    Updated: 4/24/2009 6:45:25 PM
Advertisement

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- Every morning, two mothers wake up hoping they've only had a nightmare. But that bad dream is reality.

"Every day I wake up saying, 'am I here is this really happening,'" says Christina Clarke, the mother of Brittney Joyce, a young woman from California.

Joyce's family is gathered around her bedside daily. So is the family of Jacqueline Collins, a young woman who lives in Jacksonville Beach.

These families' lives completely changed on Easter Sunday. Their daughters were part of that deadly boat ride in Palm Valley.

The women say they have learned to take it one day at a time.

"She (Collins) has more than 25 fractures on her upper body and face. Her jaw is wired shut, paralysis in her face." Collin's mother says only time will tell if the paralysis will go away.

Both girls suffered severe head trauma in the boat crash. "My daughter has no memory of the day. She doesn't remember getting on the boat; we hope that will come back. We don't know," says Joyce's mom.

Friday was a good day for Collins. "Today was a breakthrough day. She remembered her name, her age, where she lives. It's taken 12 days."

It's a baby step in trying to get used to what is now the new normal for these families.

The deadly crash will keep the girls in rehab for at least six to twelve months.

While reality is still sinking in for these families, they say they have made it this far with support from complete strangers. The community is planning fundraisers to help the boat crash victims. "It's been incredible."

Joyce's family plans to take her home by train in the next few weeks.

Collin's mother, Lisa Morris, says she is now moving to Jacksonville to care for her daughter.

The girls are in stable condition at Shands Jacksonville.

©2009 First Coast News. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, rewritten, or redistributed.



In your voice

Read reactions to this story