Article Summary

            In the article titled "Miracle Survivor", Sandra Sobrieraj Westfall discusses a fatal plane crash whose lone survivor is a seven year old girl. Sailor Gutzler is the only member of her family to survive their family plane crash. First, Westfall points out what a happy and loving family the Gutzlers were. Next, the author informs the reader of the trip the family was planning—a routine visit to their son's Navy base. They were flying home when the plane began having engine problems and crashed in the woods of western Kentucky. Also, the author explains how Sailor bravely escaped the burning plane, leaving her dead parents, sister, and cousin, and sought out help by going through the woods in total darkness. Sailor's only major injury was a broken arm. In addition, Westfall describes each of the family members who passed away. Each was loved and will be deeply missed. Finally, Westfield concludes by writing how Sailor will be cared for by other relatives and is on her way to mental recovery; as she told someone, “She has to be strong for her mom and dad because they would want her to be strong.”