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Last updated on Monday, March 10, 2014
(BEDFORD) - One of the two brothers who were airlifted to Methodist Hospital following a serious accident on Vinegar Hill Road Friday, has been released.
The other will remain in the hospital for at least another two weeks.
Brian Prince, the boys' father, says 16-year-old Zach was released from the hospital Sunday evening. Zach will be staying with his mother Bequita Prince in Martinsville. Zach suffered a crushed nose, fractured sternum and bruises to one of his lungs. He also suffered a severe lip injury. He is still facing reconstructive surgery on his nose and lips.
17-year-old Jesse Prince, who was driving the vehicle, suffered two fracture femurs, a broken back and neck, but it didn't sever his spinal cord and will not suffer paralysis.
He also suffered five broken ribs on his right side.
After arriving at Methodist Hospital on Friday evening, Jesse was in surgery for five hours while doctors addressed the injuries to his legs.
On Saturday morning, beginning at about 8, Jesse was back in surgery for what Brian referred to as "a double surgery" where doctors operated on his neck and spine at the same time.
Brian says 11 neurosurgeons were in the operating room for the surgery, which lasted eight and half hours.
Jesse has a long road to recovery and will wear a brace for about six months and might be in physical therapy up to a year.
Zach is a sophomore at Bedford North Lawrence High School and participates in wrestling. Jesse, a BNL junior, also wrestles and ran cross country. He works at Long John Silver's.
Brian expressed his appreciation for the outpouring of support the family has received since the accident saying the family has been "bombarded with calls from well-wishers."
"People we don't even know have called and let us know they are on prayer chains," Brian says. "It means so much receiving the support of their hometown."
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