Car accident survivor returns home to Eureka

The sole survivor of a two-vehicle crash that killed five people last week was released from the hospital Thursday.

Braden Thompson, 16, of Eureka suffered a fracture in his neck, but he is “recovering quite well,” according to Sandy Watters of Eureka Assembly of God Church.

The boy’s father, Ron Thompson, referred calls about his son’s condition to the family’s church.

The teenager suffered a fracture in his C3 vertebra, the third vertebra down from the base of his skull, according to Watters.

“They have put a halo on him,” she said. “He will be wearing it for 12 weeks but he has full mobility.”

Thompson was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle on Monday last week after a crash six miles west of Libby killed his mother, his 10-year-old sister, and three occupants of another vehicle – Jack Flasche, Lois Flasche and Theresa Merritt of Troy.

Thompson’s mother lost control of her vehicle during heavy rain and slid sideways into the path of the other vehicle, according to Montana Highway Patrol. Officials said that the cause of the crash was unknown.

Eureka locals transported Thompson home by personal plane Thursday.

The funeral for his mother, Sherry Lynn Thompson, and sister, Kendra Thompson, will be held Friday at 1 p.m., at the Eureka Assembly of God Church, Watters said.