Injured Ocean Academy Student Shows Promising Signs of Recovery After Accident

The family of 17-year-old Gilbert Tec Jr., one of several Ocean Academy students seriously injured in a road traffic accident last month, says that he has shown encouraging signs of improvement. Tec’s family took to social media over the holidays to say that since he first awoke from his coma earlier this month, he has been keeping his eyes open for longer periods and has been more responsive. His relatives said, quote “He’s breathing on his own, he’s able to adjust himself on his bed when he’s feeling uncomfortable. He’s able to communicate with us even more and he’s very responsive when we ask him questions,” end of quote. Tec is also trying to keep in good spirits, comically trying to post on social media and refusing to cut his hair. His family has thanked the public for the support they have received during this time. Tec was among the ten students and two teachers who were injured on November 29, after the van they were traveling in had a blowout on the Philip Goldson Highway. While some made it out with minor injuries, Tec, Gevan Canelo, Alexander Bainton, and teacher Zane Zuniga, were critical after the accident. Tec had to have surgery to repair a broken femur which lasted eight hours. Zuniga has since returned from successful surgery in Guatemala and Canelo left for the US on December 17 to receive treatment in the US. Unfortunately, Bainton passed away on December 5 due to massive head trauma.