Future MBB player hospitalized by plane crash - Updated

Submitted by MGoChippewa on

Ed-Tim: A really sad story, especially considering Austin has been hit with plane-crash tragedy in the past. Keep the entire Hatch family in your thoughts and/or prayers, if that's what you're into.

2013 commitment Austin Hatch, just weeks after verbally committing to play at UofM was seriously injured in a plane crash last night.  His father and step mother died at the scene.  Austin is in the ICU at Northern Michigan Regional Hospital.  This article explains the crash with no names, and Dylan Burkhardt of UMHoops has been tweeting about it.  Prayers to Austin and his family.

UPDATE

Indiana News Center provided an update on Austin's condition with the details coming from a family friend.  To summarize, Austin is in a medically induced coma.  He suffered a broken clavicle, ribs and a fractured leg.  Along with that, both of his lungs were punctured and his skull was fractured.  There is minor swelling in his brain, but doctors claim to have it under control.  He is in critical condition, but doctors do believe they have control over the situation.  Continued support and prayers from the Michigan family to the Hatch family.

chris1709

June 25th, 2011 at 11:39 AM ^

I heard a plane crashed into a house from a friend on facebook, who was a neighbor, shocked that it was Austin Hatch wow.

animals77

June 25th, 2011 at 11:42 AM ^

Very, very  tragic news.  Losing one or both parents is horrible.  Sorry to hear about his losses, and hopefully he can make a full recovery physically and emotionally.

Captain

June 25th, 2011 at 11:44 AM ^

A tragedy beyond words.  I trust the entire University of Michigan family will be there to support him through this difficult time.  My thoughts and prayers are with you Austin.

M-Wolverine

June 25th, 2011 at 11:55 AM ^

Get in a plane again after the first accident and losing your family members. To have it happen again is like having lightning hit you twice. Horrible. Wishes that he gets through this physically, and then manages to find a way to deal with this emotionally. It's an unimaginable road. Forget basketball...life is what matters.

somewittyname

June 25th, 2011 at 12:03 PM ^

The_MDA Mr. Anderson Update on Austin Hatch: 2 punctured lungs, fractured skull but no brain bleeding, is in an induced coma.

Raoul

June 25th, 2011 at 1:55 PM ^

Nice article from Kyle Neddenriep at Indystar.com has a brief rundown of Austin's condition:

Hatch was hospitalized in serious condition and sources close to the situation say he’s in critical condition and has been placed in a medically-induced coma.

NorthSideBlueFan

June 25th, 2011 at 12:52 PM ^

I cannot believe he has had two plane crashes where family members were killed in his short life. The odds of this happening have to be a billion to one. Poor kid. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

SamGoBlue2

June 25th, 2011 at 1:10 PM ^

As so many have already said, there are no words that can describe the pain I feel for Austin and his whole family right now. When I heard about the first plane crash a couple of weeks ago, it was one of the hardest stories to ever read. Now when I hear this there is nothing that even comes close to the magnitude of the tragedy. All my thoughts and prayers are with Austin and his family. And hopefully not only Michigan fans are praying for him right now, it truly does not matter what school he goes to or what school he is committed to.

Genzilla

June 25th, 2011 at 1:16 PM ^

More important than his physical recovery I hope he can mentally and emotionally get over this. I'm sure this kid loves the game and would do anything to play again, but first I just hope he can find some stability after losing so many people close to him.

Wettin 3's

June 25th, 2011 at 1:37 PM ^

Probably the worst thing that could ever happen to a kid, is lose all direct family. I hope he gets through this emotional and physical pain. Forget about b-ball, doesn't matter right now...

Sgt.Rock

June 25th, 2011 at 2:07 PM ^

I pray that he makes a full and speedy recovery.  Does anyone know the extent of his wounds?   I can only imagine if he does recover and is able to take the court one day to play for Michigan.  That is one game I would not want to miss, his first time in front of the Crisler fans.  What a moment for him it would be, all the best to this young Michigan Man. !!  God Speed !

SamGoBlue2

June 25th, 2011 at 5:45 PM ^

Obviously we don't have a lot to go on here, but I talked to my mom, who is a nurse, to ask her about what she thought about a possible recovery given what we do know (cracked skull, two punctured lungs, no brain bleeding, medically-induced coma). She said that healthy people can usually fully recover from a punctured lung in about six weeks and that he should hopefully be able to make a full recovery if there is no brain damage. Like I said, no one but his doctors know the full extent of his injuries, but at this point I think we should really be praying that his brain is fully functioning.

rockydude

June 25th, 2011 at 2:14 PM ^

Austin, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers, as well as those of so many of us in your new extended family. We are all with you, and one day you will follow in your father's footsteps in medical school. Hang in there in these darkest of times.

redwhiteandMGOBLUE

June 25th, 2011 at 3:06 PM ^

My most heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to you and yours, Austin.

May you heal and have peace and ease of this unbelieveable burden.

Know that your Michigan family will always be here for you.

aiglick

June 25th, 2011 at 3:08 PM ^

Austin,

Have a speedy recovery. I am so unbelievably sorry to hear about this tragedy. There really are no words. May you be comforted in these trying times.

Raoul

June 25th, 2011 at 3:14 PM ^

Statement from John Beilein from a Free Press article:

"We are saddened to hear about another tragedy that has affected the Hatch family. Austin needs as much support right now as possible and I know he will be in the thoughts and prayers of the Michigan family during this difficult time."

SGRWebster

June 25th, 2011 at 4:09 PM ^

Talked to Russell Byrd (he's at the hospital with Austin and his family), said Austin's fighting and getting better. 

Thanks for all your comments and prayers - truly an overwhelming situation.  Austin's parents (see Russell's tweet) were wonderful, generous people. 

 

HAILtoBO

June 25th, 2011 at 4:26 PM ^

My prayers go out to the young man and his family. Saddening story and hope he comes out alright. The MICHIGAN family will always be here too for ya son.

jmblue

June 25th, 2011 at 4:26 PM ^

And this is the second time he's lost a parent this way?  What horrific luck.  I hope and pray he can get through this.

MGoUberBlue

June 25th, 2011 at 5:34 PM ^

One can ohly hope and pray that he recovers physically and psychologically.  The prior accident must have had an impact due to the loss of family life, but then for this to occur so shortly after realizing a dream of attaining a scholarship to UM.

Our prayers are with Austin Hatch.  I hope that there is an extended family to support him through the dark days that are sure to follow.  Let's also hope that he recovers sufficiently to play out the dream and return to playing a sport that he clearly loves.

althegreat23

June 25th, 2011 at 5:47 PM ^

WHEN Austin overcomes this, he'll show the heart, determination, and perseverance found in everyone in the Michigan family. Get better Austin, we are all behind you!

Yonkers

June 25th, 2011 at 5:57 PM ^

I dont even care if hes a michigan basketball player or not, the tradgey he has just faced and the condition he is in right now eliminates all of that. I hope for a safe recovery both mentally and physically for him.