A family friend says the boy is out of intensive care.
By RICK GERSHMAN
Published November 17, 2005
TAMPA - The condition of a 7-year-old boy seriously injured when his family's Ford Explorer plunged off the Howard Frankland Bridge has improved and his parents hope for a complete recovery.
Amar Jakupovic is out of intensive care and no longer requires a ventilator to breathe, a family friend said Wednesday. He remains under doctors' care in fair condition at Tampa General Hospital.
No further details on Amar's condition were provided. The family, which lives in St. Petersburg, has asked the hospital to keep Amar's condition confidential. However, it allowed family friend Selma Kapo to provide reporters a brief update.
"He's a very sweet kid," Kapo said. "We hope for his full recovery."
Kapo also announced the creation of a trust fund to receive donations for the family. Donors can contribute to the Jakupovic Family Fund at First Home Bank.
The family was headed to Tampa Nov. 5 when a rear tire separated on the Explorer, driven by Amar's mother, Amira. She lost control, and the vehicle flipped off the bridge. Her husband, Mujo, 34, and their older son, Emrah, 13, also were in the SUV.
All but Amar escaped the submerged vehicle quickly. Amira, 31, and Emrah suffered minor injuries. Mujo suffered a deep gash in his leg.
Amar was pulled from the Explorer by passerby Kerry Reardon, while another good Samaritan, Kelli Earle, helped resuscitate the boy aboard a fishing boat piloted by Kenny Hyatt.
