Texas Model Has 'Long Road to Recovery' After Walking Into Plane Propeller

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Model Walks Into Spinning Plane Propeller

Fashion magazine founder loses hand, use of left eye in accident

A fashion model and magazine editor was recovering in a hospital Tuesday after severing her hand and suffering severe facial injuries when she walked into a spinning airplane propeller in north Texas.

Witnesses said that Lauren Scruggs, 23, had just stepped off the plane at a private airport in McKinney, Texas, on Saturday night when she apparently walked in front of the propeller. She was taken by helicopter to the hospital, where she underwent several surgeries over the weekend.

Surgeons had to amputate Scruggs' left hand, and the accident caused severe damage to her shoulder and head, the New York Post reported.

Scruggs, who lives in Plano, Texas, is the editor of the online fashion magazine LOLO and has also worked in the costume department of the show "Gossip Girl."

Speaking to “Good Morning America” Tuesday, Scruggs’ parents said they weren’t sure exactly what happened when she walked into the propeller, but that they believed she was going to thank the pilot when the accident occurred.

Family members, who have been posting updates on her condition on the CaringBridge website, said Scruggs' operations went well and that she was learning the extent of her injuries. Scruggs also began speaking, they said, saying her name and telling family members she loved them.

"To the doctors and her family's delight, Lauren said a few words this afternoon," they wrote Monday evening. "We pray that her brain will continue to heal and have full restoration!"

They added, "She is able to open her right eye to see, while her left eye is still bandaged. Please continue to pray for the vision of her left eye, as we will not know the status of her sight for some time."

Scruggs’ parents said doctors told them that it would be a long road to recovery due to the nature of her injuries.

“The most important thing is that she loves the lord, but besides that, she’s a fun-loving, gregarious, outgoing young lady that’s never met a stranger,” her father said Tuesday. “She would give you the shirt off her back if you needed it.”

Scruggs’ parents also thanked friends, family and supporters for the “overwhelming love” they had received following the accident.

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the accident.

NewsCore contributed to this report.