This morning I saw breaking news on CNN of an airplane crash in a lake in Winter Haven and thought about my cousin Susan Sugar and her husband John, both pilots. But, I say to myself, there are a bunch of planes and pilots in Winter Haven, what are the chances its my cousins.
The phone rings, its my mother. My cousin John Sugar and his father were in the plane, not sure which was piloting the plane that crashed in the lake in their back yard. John is alive with facial injuries and still evaluating and his father was air lifted to Tampa.
Prayers to the Sugar family, such wonderful people. They are in Sowal about 4 times a year and always a big part of our huge Thanksgiving festivities here every year.
My mother has been offered to fly with them in this exact plane. Apparantly it is one that is taken apart to be stored. My mother was never comfortable flying in it, so she hasn't. She flies in their other planes though.
Replies
66SoWal Insider
So glad to hear that they are both doing relatively well! Keep us posted ...
Beach FanaticAuthor
John Jr is doing well and did not even have a concussion...unbelievable!! He is waiting for clearance to go back to flying. Being an airline pilot, I think they want his face to heal before he makes a public appearance on a plane. Can you imagine? "What happened to you?", a passenger asks, "I crashed the last plane I flew."
John Sr., was able to sit up in a chair and walk a bit. He can't speak because of the tubes, but is writing and drawing and seems to be doing incredibly well. Every rib was broken, two puntured lungs and facial and head injuries and he is making amazing progress, thank God! He still has not had surgery on his face, but with his progress, it may be soon.
Thank you all again for your thoughts and prayers, as you can see, it has helped! Please continue. I am grateful.
John Sr., was able to sit up in a chair and walk a bit. He can't speak because of the tubes, but is writing and drawing and seems to be doing incredibly well. Every rib was broken, two puntured lungs and facial and head injuries and he is making amazing progress, thank God! He still has not had surgery on his face, but with his progress, it may be soon.
Thank you all again for your thoughts and prayers, as you can see, it has helped! Please continue. I am grateful.
SoWal Insider
This is great news!
Thanks for the update.
Thanks for the update.SoWal Insider
Wow - fabulous news!!
SWGB
Since none of our resident pilots have said it.
Any landing you survive is a good one!
Any landing you survive is a good one!
SoWal Insider
Awesome! Thanks for letting us know. 

margarita brocolia
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Thank you so much for this update!
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Thank you so much for this update!
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Beach Fanatic
I just saw this thread today and I'm so happy that it ended with such good news! Keep updating us!
Beach FanaticAuthor
My cousins flew into Destin today and we will be having dinner with him and more family tonight.
I am thankful he is alive and well and so is his father, although he faces some more surgeries, they are alive and John Jr and Susan are here!!!
I am thankful he is alive and well and so is his father, although he faces some more surgeries, they are alive and John Jr and Susan are here!!!
SoWal Insider
Fabulous news and wonderful blessings!!
Beach FanaticAuthor
I may have pic's of cuz that he showed me tonight. When I show him this thread and he agrees you will see an amazing transformation. His dad is not here, but was drinking wine thru a tube at home tonigh tand sent a phone pic....hilarious!
Darlene is my middle name, not my nickname
What a wonderful Thanksgiving this will be for your family! Have a wonderful time! Wine through a straw? Well, you gotta do what you gotta do.
I love it!
I love it!Beach FanaticAuthor
John Sr. is intubated...not drinking through a straw.
Darlene is my middle name, not my nickname
John Sr. is intubated...not drinking through a straw.
I'm sorry. I misread your previous post. Please forgive my insensitivity. I wish him well, and a full recovery. 
Beach FanaticAuthor
No problem, he is drinking wine, but through his tube. You were not insensitive in the least!
Beach Fanatic
That's awesome! 

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