A young boy, aged 10, who miraculously survived a tragic plane crash involving a medical jet has finally returned home. Ramesses Vazquez-Viana, the brave survivor, sustained severe burns to 90% of his body in the devastating incident that occurred in Philadelphia on January 31. The crash claimed the lives of six individuals on board and tragically led to the deaths of two more on the ground.
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After enduring numerous surgeries and extensive rehabilitation in Boston and New Jersey over nearly a year, Ramesses was joyously welcomed back to his hometown of Philadelphia on December 16. His mother, Jamie Vazquez-Viana, expressed immense relief, stating, “I was praying so hard we’d be home for Christmas. I just wanted my three boys with me.”
The harrowing ordeal unfolded when Ramesses, accompanied by his father, Steven Dreuitt Jr., and Dreuitt’s fiancée, Dominique Goods Burke, was in a car near the Roosevelt Mall in northeast Philadelphia at the time of the Learjet 55 crash as reported by The Philadelphia Inquirer. His father tragically perished in the fire, while Goods Burke succumbed to her injuries later that April.
In a heartfelt plea for support, Jamie set up a GoFundMe page recounting the agonising details, revealing, “Ramesses’ body caught fire and over 90% of his skin was destroyed by the burns. He watched his father burn to death.” The young boy, who was airlifted to a hospital in Boston, underwent an astonishing 42 surgeries, including extensive skin grafts and amputations of his ears and fingers.
Following his intensive medical treatments, Ramesses continued his road to recovery at the Weisman Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital in Marlton, N.J. During this period, he bravely relearned basic functions such as walking and speaking, a testament to his unwavering resilience in the face of adversity.
Upon his much-anticipated return to Philadelphia, Ramesses received a heartwarming reception from the community, including his peers, teachers, and neighbours, according to KYW. The generous gestures extended further with a $50,000 donation to his school, Smedley Elementary, by Canva, and a new car gifted to his family by David Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram.
The outpouring of support and kindness towards Ramesses and his family during this challenging time serves as a poignant reminder of the strength found in unity and compassion within a community. The young survivor’s journey home signifies a beacon of hope and resilience amidst tragedy, showcasing the power of unwavering courage and the human spirit.
As Ramesses embraces the familiar surroundings of his home, his remarkable story of survival and perseverance continues to inspire all those around him. The community’s solidarity and generosity stand as a testament to the unwavering spirit of humanity in times of adversity.