ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) – Conditions have improved for two survivors of the Alaska plane crash that former LSU Chancellor Sean O’Keefe survived but killed former Sen. Ted Stevens and four others.
Kevin O’Keefe and Jim Morhard, among four survivors in the Monday crash near Dillingham, have been upgraded to fair condition at Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage.
Sean O’Keefe, Kevin O’Keefe’s father, remains in critical condition. Thirteen-year-old William “Willy” Phillips Jr., remains in good condition. His father, William “Bill” Phillips Sr., is among those who died in the crash.
Paul Pastorek, the Louisiana State Superintendent of Education who is acting as a spokesman for the O’Keefe family, said Wednesday the injuries to Sean and Kevin O’Keefe do not appear to be life-threatening.
“As for Sean and Kevin, their injuries do not appear to be life-threatening and we are confident they will have a full recovery,” Pastorek said in a statement posted on the website for O’Keefe’s current employer, EADS. “While we are deeply saddened by the losses of Sean’s friends and colleagues, we are grateful Sean and Kevin will have the opportunity to return home to our family.”
The other people who died are pilot Theron “Terry” Smith of Eagle River, GCI executive Dana Tindall of Anchorage and Tindall’s 16-year-old daughter, Corey. Providence spokeswoman Kirsten Schultz says survivors and their families have decided not to talk to reporters.