Mine survivor sent to rehab hospital
Morgantown, W. Va. The sole survivor of the Sago Mine disaster was transferred Thursday to a rehabilitation hospital, where his family expects him to undergo weeks, or possibly months, of therapy.
Randal McCloy Jr., 26, remained in fair condition, doctors said, no longer in a coma but still unable to speak.
“The family is very pleased with his progress. However, they are fully aware that the recovery process is still ongoing, and it will be a long process,” said family spokeswoman Aly Goodwin Gregg. “We’re talking about weeks and months.”
McCloy was part of a 13-member crew that was trapped in the mine after an explosion Jan. 2. The crew was exposed to deadly carbon monoxide for more than 41 hours, and all but McCloy had died by the time searchers found them.
Doctors have said McCloy may have suffered brain damage from the carbon monoxide poisoning, but the extent of that damage is not yet known.
Approved drug treats two types of cancer
Washington A new drug that combats both a rare stomach cancer and advanced kidney cancer won speedy federal approval Thursday.
Sunitinib, to be marketed by Pfizer Inc. as Sutent, is the first cancer drug to simultaneously win Food and Drug Administration approval for two conditions, the agency said.
Sutent works by depriving tumor cells of the blood and nutrients needed to grow.
Girl in life-support case continues to improve
Springfield, Mass. A brain-damaged 11-year-old girl who was nearly removed from life support before she suddenly began breathing on her own was moved to a rehabilitation center Thursday.
Haleigh Poutre had been hospitalized since September with severe brain injuries that authorities say were inflicted by her stepfather and adoptive mother.
Less than two weeks ago, the state Department of Social Services won approval from the state’s highest court to remove Haleigh from life support, saying she would never recover from her vegetative state. But a day later, she started showing signs of improvement, and she was weaned off her ventilator.
Now, agency officials said, Haleigh can move her eyes toward where she hears a sound.
Haleigh’s stepfather, Jason Strickland, has been charged with assault and could face a murder charge if she dies.
Her adoptive mother was also charged with assault, but died alongside her grandmother in an apparent murder-suicide about two weeks after Haleigh was hospitalized. The adoptive mother, Holli Strickland, is also Haleigh’s aunt.
Young girl killed by falling television
Oshkosh, Wis. A 27-inch television fell off its stand and killed a 4-year-old girl who had been lying on the floor.
Casandra E. Scott was alone in her mother’s bedroom when she apparently kicked the stand, and the television toppled onto her. She died of massive head injuries, Coroner Barry Busby said. Police Sgt. Steve Sagmeister said the girl’s death would be classified an accident.
Controversial judge increases sentence
Burlington, Vt. A judge vilified as soft on crime by bloggers, TV commentators and politicians for giving a child molester just 60 days in jail increased the sentence Thursday to three to 10 years behind bars.
Vermont District Judge Edward Cashman said he decided to impose the longer sentence because state officials reversed course and agreed to provide sex-offender treatment to 34-year-old Mark Hulett in prison.
At the time the judge imposed the original sentence Jan. 4, Hulett had been ruled ineligible for treatment until he got out of prison. Cashman said the lighter sentence was the only way to make sure Hulett got prompt treatment.
Hulett, 34, pleaded guilty to charges that he had sexual contact with a girl during a four-year period beginning when she was 6.