Mike Perdue.Photo: GoFundMe
The 11-year-old girl, who survived the horrific Nov. 13plane crashnear Michigan’s Beaver Island, is alive because of her father — who died saving her.
“He cradled her in his arms,” Wojan toldCNN. “She doesn’t remember anything, except for her daddy squeezing her so hard.”
Christina Perdue, Laney’s mom, said in a statement shared withABCthat her daughter’s final memory of the accident was her dad protecting her.
“It’s her last memory before the crash,” she said, adding, “We are heartbroken with the loss of my husband, a father, brother, son and friend. He gave the best bear hugs, and I believe he grabbed our daughter and protected her. Our prayers are also with our island community and the other souls lost in the accident.”
Beaver Island Fire Department
Laney suffered “broken bones and injuries” in the crash, per the GoFundMe page. As of Sunday, Laney was in stable condition and being treated at a children’s hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Christina said, perABC 7.
Wojan told CNN that all of Laney’s injuries occurred on the opposite side of where Mike had been seated on the plane. Wojan, who has been keeping in touch with Christina since the crash, added that she “wanted to be sure that everyone knew who [Mike] was and how he gave his life for his daughter.”
Wojan worked with Mike at Smith Realty Group, where he was the managing broker and co-owner, according to CNN. Remembering his late friend, Wojan told the outlet, “He was always a giver… and was such an important part of the community.”
AP Photo/Record-Eagle, Tyler Sipe
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source: people.com
