NTSB says pilot warned Lauren Scruggs before plane accident

by Bill Conrad of Star Local News

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Lauren Scruggs is making a rapid recovery following the accident.

The Plano fashion blogger who was seriously injured by an airplane propeller last month was warned not to walk in front of the plane, according to a preliminary report released by the National Transportation Safety Board.

Lauren Scruggs, 23, was struck by the propeller of the single-engine airplane and lost an eye and her right hand in the December 3 incident. Scruggs and the airplane's pilot had just landed at McKinney's Aero Country Airport after viewing Christmas lights.

The report states that after the pilot landed, he kept the engine running so he could pick up another passenger. He said he opened the plane's right-side door and expected a friend to come out and help Scruggs from the plane. When Scruggs began to exit the plane in front of the strut, "the pilot leaned out of his seat and placed his right hand and arm in front of her to divert her away from the front of the airplane and the propeller."

The pilot, who has not been identified, said he watched as she exited the plane and cleared the strut, before turning his attention away from her. When he heard someone yell "stop, stop," he shut down the engine and saw Scruggs lying in front of the airplane.

Scruggs is making a rapid recovery following the accident. She was walking and riding a stationary bike at the hospital less than three weeks after the accident. More recently, Scruggs met with doctors about getting a prosthetic arm, a meeting her mother described as emotionally trying on the Caring Bridge page she has kept updated since the accident.

Lolo, the fashion blog Scruggs kept updated before the accident, has also been updated with Scruggs' first post since December 3.

"I don't know how to thank each one of you, properly, for so much love during this difficult incident in my life," she wrote. "My heart is so grateful beyond what I could ever imagine. So thank you dearly for the sweet encouragements, the precious words in letters and messages, the beautiful grace in pretty presents, but mostly I am so so thankful for you and your loving hearts and sweet spirits. I wonderfully know that we are all so adored by the amazing and powerful Lord, and nothing is greater than walking in His planned-out lives. Jesus Christ is imaginably glorious and worthy of all praise even in the hardest moments. Love, Lo."

Daily updates on Scruggs can be found at www.caringbridge.org/visit/laurenscruggs.

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