Over the weekend, an 11-year-old girl became the only survivor of a tragic plane crash, ABC News reports. Her father died while wrapping his arms around her in an effort to protect his daughter.
Laney Perdue had been flying with her father on a commuter plane when it crashed on Beaver Island in Michigan on Saturday, November 13. Her father, Mike Perdue, and three others were killed in the tragic incident.
The following day, the girl's mother, Christina Perdue, opened up about the ordeal, sharing that the bear hug was her daughter's "last memory before the crash".
At the time of Christina's statement, her daughter Laney was said to be in a stable condition at a children's hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Christina said: "We are heartbroken with the loss of my husband, a father, brother, son, and friend. He gave the best bear hugs, and I believe he grabbed our daughter and protected her. Our prayers are also with our island community and the other souls lost in the accident."
The deadly incident occurred at around 1:30 PM local time at Welke Airport on Beaver Island just below Michigan's Upper Peninsula, Lt. William Church of the Charlevoix County, Michigan, Sheriff's Office told ABC News.
The plane was landing at the airport when it crashed after departing from Charlevoix, Michigan, approximately 32 miles away, according to a statement from the Federal Aviation Administration.
A helicopter crew from the Coast Guard Great Lakes had been training nearby at the time of the crash and responded to an emergency call from Welke Airport.
The helicopter crew then transported the child and a man, who later died from the injuries he sustained in the crash, to McLaren Northern Michigan Hospital in Petoskey. The man was pronounced dead at the hospital.
The Coast Guard Great Lakes revealed on Twitter that the helicopter crew performed "chest compressions" on Laney on the way to the hospital. The 11-year-old was later transferred to a children's hospital in Grand Rapids.
Also on the commuter plane was a couple, Kate Leese, 35, and Adam Kendall, 37, who were found dead by the time help reached them.