Families Of Teens In Parasailing Accident Report They’re Improving

Families of the Indiana teens that were injured in a freak parasailing accident on Monday, report the girls are improving.

“Our daughters, Sidney Good and Alexis Fairchild, are still at Bay Medical Center in Panama City, Florida, recovering from a parasailing accident on July 1; however we have seen more progress from yesterday,” the families said in a joint statement released on July 4.

Fairchild and Good, both 17, were parasailing off the coast of Panama City when their parasail broke loose and threw them into a nearby condominium.

Strong winds sent them into power lines and several cars in a parking lot. The girls were taken to Bay Medical Center in critical condition.

“Alexis was able to walk today with a walker and the assistance of a physical therapist and she walked into Sidney’s room to visit. Sidney is still in critical condition, but we are seeing small signs of progress. She is able to open one of her eyes and communicate to us with nods and gestures,” the statement continued.

According to the statement, the families have set up a fund to help raise money to pay for medical bills.

Aquatic Adventures, the company involved in Monday’s accident, has had similar problems in the past.

In 2009, two teens, also from Indiana, were thrown into the ocean after their parasailing rope snapped.

The company used poor judgement in that incident, taking the teens up in bad weather.

On Monday, horrified witnesses watched helplessly as the girls were slammed into the building at least twice.

This incident has brought attention to the parasailing industry and its lack of regulations.

Moreover, Aquatic Adventures helped block Florida state legislation in May that would have put new safety standards in place, ABC News previously reported.

“The events of July 1, 2013 were tragic. Our heartfelt sympathies go out to the families of the injured girls and we all pray for their speedy recovery.”

“While we adhere to best practices to minimize the risks associated with water sport activities, sudden weather conditions can and do occur. As a full investigation in on going, we are unable to comment further at this time,” the parasiling company stated.

Do you think the company is at fault in the parasailing accident that injured the teens?