Today the rumour raced across Belize that Andy Palacio had died. Well, tonight we can confirm that he is not dead, but he is on life support - and doctors in the United States have said there's nothing more that they can do for him. And so, he will be flown back to Belize tonight where he will be kept on life support until his family decides what to do. But really all they can do is pray for a miracle. Today, relatives, friends, and NICH, where Andy was employed as a cultural ambassador, held a press conference. President Yasser Musa explained that last night the air ambulance that was taking him to the University of Chicago Medical Center never made it that far because Andy had an emergency in flight.
Yasser Musa, NICH President
"Thursday night, last night, Andy Palacio was flown to the United States en route to his destination. His medical condition further deteriorated. He was then rushed to the Providence Hospital in Mobile Alabama. He was on his way to Chicago Hospital but he had to land in Mobile Alabama where he was given
emergency treatment and then placed on life support. This afternoon after consultation with US doctors, his family decided that Andy be brought back home to Belize. Arrangements are now being made to fly Andy Palacio via air ambulance to Belize where he will remain on life support at the Universal Hospital.
The doctors were in consultation with the family and with Mike (Polonio), and the answer is yes - they cannot do anything else for him and the advice is that he be taken back home and that the family then take a decision as to the future."
And so, Andy Palacio is coming home and the prognosis is grim. For relatives and loved ones, the sudden and completely unexpected nature of the illness has been overwhelming. But they have also been overwhelmed with support - and that's what they're taking into a prayer service tomorrow at the St. Martin's de Porres Church.
Loretta Palacio, Family Member
"As you can imagine Keith the last couple days have been very trying
and very difficult as this is something totally unexpected. Our family wasn't prepared for this."
Keith Swift,
What can people do?
Loretta Palacio,
"What we would like the supporters, family, fans, friends - because he has a lot of friends - to do is to pray and join us tomorrow after five o'clock as we continue to do that. We continue to pray because miracles do happen. As I was saying earlier, everyone has a mission. God has a mission for each person and when your mission is over - he calls you. And if Andy's mission is not over - we will be talking to him again. And so we have to cling to our faith and pray and just leave it to the good Lord and that will take us through this difficult time."
Rafael Martinez, Close Friend
"We're having a prayer mass tomorrow at five o'clock, hoping that Andy has a very speedy recovery and I would personally like to extend an invitation to everybody to come out and support in solidarity, pray that our national hero, our brother, our father, our friend gets better - get well as quick as possible."
The decision on what to do next will be made when Andy's daughters arrive from the United States tomorrow. The air ambulance is expected to arrive by ten tonight.
