PHILADELPHIA, PA (KYW/CNN) – A 10-year-old boy burned in a medical jet crash is celebrated for his recovery at a Philadelphia 76ers game on Friday.
Ramesses Vazquez-Viana, who suffered burns over 90% of his body in the Northeast Philadelphia incident, rang the ceremonial bell before the game as his story of resilience was shared throughout the arena. According to reports, he has undergone over 40 surgeries in the past year.
Witnesses noted the crowd gave Ramesses a standing ovation as he shared his excitement for the game, hoping for a 76ers win. He recently returned to school part-time, marking a significant step in his recovery.
Community support has been strong for the Vazquez-Viana family. David Kelleher, owner of David Dodge, provided them with a minivan and a special courtside experience during the game. “What Ramesses has done and the way he's fought through this, this is Philadelphia,” Kelleher stated.
Friend and family have expressed gratitude for the support. “It feels amazing. Everybody has shown their love in a unique way. It's overwhelming,” a family member relayed.
As Ramesses stepped onto the court with his mother, he acknowledged feeling nervous about the bell-ringing but shared a moment of joy with the cheering fans, highlighting his courageous journey since the crash.