Hannah Smith wanted to mark her college graduation, so to celebrate, she went on a Bahamas cruise with her best friend, Brooklyn. Sadly, the time that was meant to commemorate this joyous time in her life, changed it forever. Hannah fell off the side of a pontoon boat while it was docking. She was dragged underneath the vessel and came in contact with the propellers.
During the ordeal, the propellers partially severed Hannah’s legs. Now, she’s fighting for her life as she attempts to recover from her serious injuries.
Hannah’s family and doctors have not yet told her the extent of her injuries.
Thankfully, after Hannah fell under the boat, two fellow passengers reacted quickly to pull her back onboard, Face 2 Face Africa reports. After they did what they could to slow the bleeding, Hannah was airlifted from the Bahamas to Miami, where she remains. In the nearly two weeks since the accident, Hannah has undergone several surgeries. An athlete who was a CrossFit enthusiast, cheerleader, football player, and track and field runner, Hannah remains largely in the dark about the extent of her injuries, including lower body wounds and the loss of both of her legs.
Her family said they are trying to distract her from her pain.
Hannah’s parents Tracy and Marvin Smith, and her sister Rachel, have traveled from their home in Tennessee to be with her in Miami, the Mirror reports. Hannah, who is in intensive care, was grateful for her family’s presence.
“She definitely knows we’re there supporting her,” Marvin said. “It means the world to her, she was so happy when she regained consciousness that we were all here.”
Her mother said the family is doing their best to keep her uplifted during this challenging time. “She’s in a lot of pain. We’re trying to practice techniques to distract her from it. Encourage her and just try to keep her pushing forward.”
Her mother has been defending her against speculation.
So far, Hannah has had eight surgeries. One of the side effects of sedation and and other medications is hallucinations. As a result, her family has not asked Hannah to recount any of the details from the accident. “We need her focusing on her healing and not trying to remember or trying to relive it,” Tracy said. While Hannah has yet to describe what happened, her silence has not prevented others from conjecture.
Authorities have speculated that Hannah leaped from the boat, Face 2 Face reports. It’s an idea Tracy rejects saying Hannah was not intoxicated. “She fell from the boat. It’s hurtful to say she jumped because she did not,” Tracy said according to the Daily Mail. Tracy also questioned why investigators have not interviewed Hannah’s friend Brooklyn, who witnessed the whole incident first hand.
The family has launched a GoFundMe
In the meantime, Hannah’s family is doing what they can to help. Rachel has launched a GoFundMe to help cover some of her sister’s medical bills. “Through the grace of God, she’s still with us, Rachel wrote. “But the road ahead is long, filled with surgeries, recovery, and overwhelming medical costs. We’re asking for your prayers, your support, and—if you can—your help through her GoFundMe. Every share, every donation, and every prayer brings us one step closer to seeing Hannah smile again and rebuild her life.”
