Georgetown, Del., Nov. 1, 2011: Sussex County Councilman Vance Phillips’ condition is slowly improving as he recovers in a Virginia hospital this Tuesday, two days after sustaining serious injuries in an aircraft landing incident near Lynchburg, Va.
Mr. Phillips’ condition has been upgraded from ‘serious’ to ‘fair’ as he continues to receive treatment at the University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville, Va. Mr. Phillips sustained a shattered T12 vertebra as he attempted to land an experimental, hang glider-like aircraft at a private airstrip in Amherst County, Va., on Sunday evening, Oct. 30. The hard landing caused a compression injury to his spine, though it did not sever the spinal column.
The Councilman has undergone back surgery and does have limited feeling and movement in his legs. Mr. Phillips’ doctors are ‘cautiously optimistic’ about his recovery, though it will take time and rehabilitation to fully recover. Mr. Phillips expects to remain in the hospital at least a week before returning to Delaware, where he hopes to perform his rehabilitation close to home. His family is with him in Virginia as he recovers.
Mr. Phillips was conducting a solo flight around dusk on Sunday evening when, upon trying to land the single-engine craft, he bounced hard on the grass airstrip, according to preliminary reports. Details of what caused the crash remain under investigation by federal aviation authorities.
Mr. Phillips said he has been touched by the outpouring of prayers, well wishes and support from friends and family back in Delaware, all of which have helped him through the ordeal.
“You just can’t imagine how many people have contacted me. My inbox on my voicemail fills up so quickly,” Mr. Phillips said by telephone. “It’s just so overwhelming, so surreal and humbling to have so many people reach out to me. I cannot thank the people of Sussex County and Delaware enough.”
Those wishing to send Mr. Phillips cards or letters of encouragement can send them to either of the following addresses:
University of Virginia Medical Center
1215 Lee St.
Charlottesville, VA 22908
ATTN: Vance Phillips
SICU Room 197A
or
Councilman Vance Phillips
Sussex County Council
PO Box 589
Georgetown, DE 19947
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