A week after the horrific mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, one of the survivors is returning home.
Paige Hoekstra is one of two victims who were airlifted to Vancouver last week due to serious injuries.
In an update shared by Paige’s family on her GoFundMe page, it says the doctors are confident it is now safe for Paige to continue her recovery at home.
Paige suffered one gunshot wound to the chest and had to undergo surgery to repair damage.
Doctors ran a series of tests and scans after the successful surgery, and Paige is ready to be reunited with the rest of her family in Tumbler Ridge.
“Our family is so incredibly lucky to be able to share this little bit of good news with everyone who was worried for Paige,” the update said.
It also says other families affected by this devastating tragedy can reach out to them for support. The GoFundMe can be found here.
The second victim who was airlifted out of Tumbler Ridge remains in BC Children’s Hospital.
Maya Gebala suffered significant damage to her brain. Her mother says she was injured by a gunshot wound to the head and another to the neck.
The 12-year-old reportedly tried to lock the door of the school’s library as the shooter approached before she was injured.
An update by Maya’s family on social media says her recovery has shown positive signs.
“It seems as though she is responding. When maya is seemingly ‘awake,’ her eyes are starting to flutter,” her mother said.
She says Maya is moving on her left side, but not on her ride side, adding her daughter isn’t considered to pass in the immediate future.
Maya’s mother says she has been cleared for a feeding tube, but doctors don’t know how much movement and function Maya will regain due to the damage to her brain stem.
“There are a lot of positives, of course, but this recovery won’t be linear,” her mother said, adding Maya’s progress has been uplifting.
The family says it is “so incredibly grateful for all the love and support.”
A GoFundMe for Maya has already raised more than $430,000 and can be found here.