Taken from People.com
Doctor: Travis Barker & DJ AM Expected to Recover
By Stephen M. Silverman and Devan Stuart
Originally posted Sunday September 21, 2008 10:30 AM EDT
DJ AM (left) and Travis Barker
Photo by: Michael Bezjian / WireImage
There is promising long-range news in the medical condition of air-tragedy victims Travis Barker and DJ AM.
The medical director of the Georgia burn center where the two are being treated after their escape from a fiery plane crash around midnight Friday said Sunday morning that both critically injured men are expected to make full recoveries.
Dr. Fred Mullins of the Joseph M. Still Burn Center at Doctors' Hospital in Augusta said at a press conference that former Blink 182 drummer Barker, 32, and DJ Am (real name: Adam Goldstein), 35, are being treated for second- and third-degree burns.
Mullins says recovery from such burns can take as long as a year but says that the men suffered no other injuries, adding: "Since both Barker and Goldstein are in overall good health and didn't suffer from any other crash-related complications, a full recovery is expected."
As for a timeline, though he said recovery could require a year, Mullins also noted, "I would expect it would be much sooner than that."
Mullins says Barker was burned on his torso and lower body, while DJ AM, was burned on his arms and a portion of his head. The doctor described both as remaining in critical but stable condition and in the intensive-care unit of the hospital.
Regarding their emotional state, he declined to discuss specifics, but said of burn victims that "45 percent of all patients have some emotional trouble."
Families Ask for Privacy
There were six people on the plane, and the other four perished. They were pilot Sarah Lemmon, 31, of Anaheim Hills, Calif.; co-pilot James Bland, 52, of Carlsbad, Calif.; security guard Charles Still, 25, of Los Angeles; and Barker's assistant Chris Baker, 29, also of Los Angeles.
On Saturday, the mother of Barker's ex-wife Shanna Moakler told PEOPLE that her daughter was on her way to Georgia to be at Barker's side. Sources tell PEOPLE that Moakler was seen at the hospital later that day.
Dr. Mullins also said at the press conference Sunday: "The families wish to thank fans from all over the world for their prayers and concern. Deepest sympathy is expressed to the loved ones of those who perished in the crash. As the two recuperate and mourn this loss, privacy for them their families and friends is requested at this time." |