ESPN’s Hannah Storm Hosts Rose Parade After Serious Accident
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iStockphoto/Thinkstock(PASADENA, Calif.) — Just three weeks after suffering serious burns in an accident at home, ESPN anchor Hannah Storm returned to television to host the 124th Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif. on New Years’ Day.
Storm, who has been an anchor of ESPN’s “SportsCenter” since 2008, shared hosting duties for the parade with “Good Morning America” anchor Josh Elliott. He opened the broadcast by welcoming her back on the air.
“The best medicine is being here with you, my friend, for the fifth year in a row,” Storm said to Elliott.
Storm thanked the staff of the Trauma and Burn Center at New York’s Westchester Medical Center for helping her recover.
She lost her eyebrows, eyelashes, and roughly half of her hair while she was making dinner for her family outside on the gas grill at her Connecticut home on Dec. 11.
When Storm realized the flame on the grill had gone out, she turned the gas off, and then on again, and the grill sent a wall of fire towards her.
She suffered first-degree burns to her face and neck, as well as second-degree burns on her chest and hands.
Storm’s left hand was still bandaged, preventing her from taking notes since she is left-handed. She said she wore hair extensions on the air, but other than that, viewers saw few changes from the way she looked a month ago. She has said that showering and dressing are challenging.
Since the accident, Storm has attended Christmas Eve Mass, but other than that, the trip to California for the 2013 Rose Parade was her first major trip outside since leaving the hospital.
“Can’t begin to thank you all enough for your kindness and support. Getting ready for #RoseParade with @JoshElliottABC. Happy New Year!” Storm tweeted before the parade began.
Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio