The major story this week in celebrity news was a sad one. Six people were involved in an airplane crash Friday after midnight. The Learjet crashed right after takeoff from a Columbia, S.C., airport. The two survivors of the accident were Travis Barker, the drummer from Blink-182, and DJ AM, most recently known for dating Nicole Richie and Mandy Moore. The four others onboard, including two pilots, a security guard, and Barker's assistant, sadly did not survive.
Barker and DJ AM were taken to a burn center in Augusta, Ga., 75 miles away from the crash site. "Both Travis Barker and Adam Goldstein are in critical but stable condition," Beth Frits for the Joseph M. Still Burn Center told People magazine. Although DJ AM was airlifted, Barker refused and had to be heavily sedated to be transported by ambulance.
Loved ones of both Barker and DJ AM rushed to be by their sides as they undergo surgery for serious third- and second-degree burns, including Barker's ex-wife Shanna Moakler. DJ AM's sister, Lara, and brother-in-law, Ben Long, heard of the news over the phone. "Nobody expects this," Long told People. "We're waiting to hear more."
Shanna's mother, Gail Moakler, spoke out to People about the incident in some detail. "Shanna flew out this morning (Sunday), and I am going to L.A. to be with the children so that she can devote time to Travis," she said. Shanna and Travis were married from 2004 until earlier this year. They have two children together, Landon, 4, and a daughter, Alabama, 2. Moakler's mom continued, "They may be divorced, but they're still very close. Their priorities are their kids."
Barker is not the only one to have loved ones by his side.
On Monday Mandy Moore flew to Georgia to be with ex-boyfriend DJ AM, her manager confirmed. The pair dated in early 2007 and split after two months.
Luckily, the quick thinking of Barker and DJ AM saved their own lives. They escaped by sliding down the right wing of the plane. On Tuesday, Lieutenant Josh Shumpert stated, "They said they were on fire and that they tackled each other and put each other out." The lieutenant noted that both men seemed very shaken up, as to be expected, but these fast reactions gave both men a better shot at full recovery.
Dr. Fred Mullins of the burn unit in Georgia stated that "a full recovery is expected," although it may take up to a year. Get well soon!
any good drug, you need to know when to put it down."
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