California

Man in Small Plane Crash Near Lake Tahoe Makes ‘Miraculous' Recovery

Eric Raptosh, of Truckee, suffered a broken neck, broken ribs, a broken leg, and extensive brain, and spinal cord damage

Doctors say a Northern California man who in July survived a small plane crash with a broken neck and extensive brain and spinal cord damage has made a "miraculous" recovery and is ready to leave the hospital.

Eric Raptosh, of Truckee, was flying with his husband, Peter Jackson, and their pilot, Kenneth Whitall-Scherfee, when the single-engine plane crashed near Lake Tahoe, killing Jackson and Whitall-Scherfee.

Officials said the Navion-B aircraft's pilot reported engine problems and was trying to return to the Truckee-Tahoe Airport when the crash occurred shortly after takeoff.

Raptosh was admitted to the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center in San Jose with a broken neck, broken ribs, a broken leg, and extensive brain, and spinal cord damage.

Doctors say he will leave the hospital Thursday after an intensive and "miraculous" recovery.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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