CAR CRASH SURVIVOR DOING WELL "It's A Miracle," Says Mother

Annette Richardson, an Anguillian national, residing in New York, looked at her son and said with a feeling of relief and joy: “It is a miracle he is a live.”

The 16-year-old, Aaron Houria, was one of five youngsters who were in a car crash in New York on June 14, the last day of school for some students and graduation day for others. Four of them in the vehicle died when it slammed into a tree, three blocks from Aaron’s mother’s house. They were on their way to a Pool Billiards party celebration. Aaron was the only survivor but, according to his mother’s graphic details of his multiple and severe injuries, he was all broken up.

Those who died were Aaron’s two first cousins, Michael Richardson, 20, son of Annette’s sister, Daisy, and former Magistrate in Anguilla, Homer Richardson; and Nnaya Adingupu, 16, daughter of Annette’s other sister, Theodora and Chris, the late pilot, who died when his plane crashed in Dominica some years ago; Kevin McArthur, 18, Kevin’s friend and neighbour who was born in New York of Jamaican parents; and Max, 19, the owner and driver of the car, whose parents are from Haiti.

Aaron, the “miracle” survivor, is now in Anguilla and is recovering well. Not only is his mother happy for him, but also his Anguillian grandparents, Edwin and Dorothy Richardson and other relatives here and in New York. “On August 18, I brought him down to Anguilla to relax and since his arrival he is out of his wheel chair and walking,” she told The Anguillian. They are living in a beach house at Little Harbour, owned by her mother, which is a perfect place for a truly relaxing and healing experience.
Annette said her son, who sustained broken limbs, facial injuries, fractures of the spinal column, and other physical damage, was in intensive care for two weeks in New York and a week in a regular treatment area. Upon his release from hospital, doctors, therapists and even teachers, have been visiting him at home. His two older brothers carried him around the house on their backs where the wheelchair could not go. Now he is enjoying the natural therapy of a serene beach life in Anguilla away from the bustling City of New York and it is doing him very well, moving around unaided.

His mother finds it difficult to get over his previous condition. “It is a miracle he survived,” she reiterated. “He was sitting right behind the driver and that side of the car was the worst hit. It was a horrible sight.” Looking at him, she added: “Everyone thinks that God has something special planned for him. To me, it seemed impossible that sitting on that side of the car he was able to survive.” She described the tragic death of the other youngsters as a heart-breaking experience for the families, including her two sisters, to cope with.

Aaron, her lucky son, says the incident continues to plague his mind but, according to his mother, since their arrival in Anguilla he is not having the nightmares he has been experiencing in New York. They said the accident, which baffles many persons, is still being investigated by the New York Police Department. Aaron remembers that the car was travelling at about 45 mph and alleges that the driver fell asleep at the wheel. The time was around 12.30 a.m. on June 14.
Mother and son are extending their stay in Anguilla because it is doing much good for him. When the time is right they will be returning to New York. He will resume his education at Floral Park High School, one of six Sewanaka District schools in the area, and hopes to graduate in 2008.
Annette will eventually resume her duties as a Government Social Worker in New York. Life for her is slowly returning to normal as she drives around Anguilla and spends a lot of time at the beach house watching Aaron relaxing in the inshore waters or playing Nintendo all by himself.

Lucky Aaron Houria

Lucky Aaron Houria