Families of Indiana Teens in Parasailing Accident 'See More Progress' - East Idaho News
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Families of Indiana Teens in Parasailing Accident ‘See More Progress’

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Getty 070213 Parasailing?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1373014364854iStockphoto/Thinkstock(PANAMA CITY, Fla.) — The families of two Indiana teens whose parasail detached from a boat and flung them into a Florida high-rise said the girls are doing better.

“Our daughters, Sidney Good and Alexis Fairchild, are still at Bay Medical Center in Panama City, Florida, recovering from a parasailing accident on July 1; however we have seen more progress from yesterday,” the families said in a joint statement released on July 4.

Fairchild and Good, both 17, were parasailing just off the coast of Panama City when their parasail broke loose and slammed them into a nearby condominium.  Strong winds sent them into power lines and several cars in a parking lot.

The girls were taken to Bay Medical Center in critical condition, but their families say they are slowly doing better.

“Alexis was able to walk today with a walker and the assistance of a physical therapist and she walked into Sidney’s room to visit.  Sidney is still in critical condition, but we are seeing small signs of progress.  She is able to open one of her eyes and communicate to us with nods and gestures,” the statement continued.

The parasailing accident has brought to light an industry that has suprisingly little regulation.  Since 1998, there have been 33 parasailing accidents in Florida alone.  Six resulted in fatalities.

The company that owned the boat involved in Monday’s incident, Aquatic Adventures, helped block Florida state legislation in May that would have put new safety standards in place, ABC News previously reported.

The families have set up a fund to raise money for their daughters’ medical expenses, according to the statement.

An attorney for Aquatic Adventures did not return a phone call for comment.

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