Lone survivor of Admiralty plane crash continues recovery

KETCHIKAN — The only survivor of a floatplane crash in Southeast Alaska that killed three Wrangell men remains in recovery at a Colorado hospital.

Morgan Enright was left in critical condition after suffering extensive injuries in the April 8 crash on Admiralty Island, The Ketchikan Daily News reported.

The Ketchikan resident, who was 21 at the time of the crash, had received treatment at a Seattle hospital before becoming a patient at Craig Hospital in Colorado, which specializes in neuro-rehabilitation and research for people with spinal cord and brain injuries.

Enright, the daughter of Loren Enright and Chere Klein, has been documenting her recovery in an online journal her family has been keeping since the incident.

“We successfully arrived in Denver on a beautiful flight with an awesome (emergency medical technician) crew,” Klein wrote on May 12. “Morgan has had a very busy afternoon meeting her new specialized team members. She is now off all eating and drinking restrictions and immediately drank a quart of water.”

A May 14 journal entry said Enright “got her first shower and also first breath of fresh Colorado air.” Klein also said Enright would be in a wheelchair until her right ankle and leg are healed.

The latest entry posted Wednesday says Enright is continuing with physical, occupational and speech therapy every day.

Enright had been aboard a Cessna 206 piloted by David Galla, 60, when the plane went down about 20 miles southeast of the village of Angoon, on Admiralty Island. A preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board said Galla had said he was going to take an alternate route due to cloudy weather before the plane crashed.

Galla was killed in the crash along with Greg Scheff, 61, and Thomas Siekawitch, 57.

Related stories:

Three confirmed dead, one survivor in Admiralty plane crash

NTSB is trying to piece together the tragic, fatal Admiralty plane crash

Preliminary report for Admiralty plan crash indicates weather issues

More in News

The Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Encore docks in Juneau in October of 2022. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)
Ships in port for t​​he Week of April 27

Here’s what to expect this week.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Wednesday, May 1, 2024

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

Capital City Fire/Rescue responded to two residential fires within 12 hours this week, including one Thursday morning that destroyed a house and adjacent travel trailer. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire file photo)
Fire in travel trailer destroys adjacent Mendenhall Valley home

CCFR responds to two residential fires in Juneau within 12 hours.

Hundreds of people gather near the stage during last year’s Juneau Maritime Festival on Saturday, May 6, 2023, at Elizabeth Peratrovich Plaza. The event featured multiple musical performances by local bands and singers. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)
Annual Maritime Festival to get a military salute with arrival of US Navy missile destroyer

A record 90+ vendors, music, search and rescue demonstration, harbor cruises among Saturday’s events.

(Getty images)
In final judgment, judge blocks Alaska correspondence provisions, keeps current rules through June

Legislature working on fixes, but Dunleavy suggests he will veto bills before Supreme Court rules.

Rep. Mary Peltola, D-Alaska, speaks during a session of the U.S. House on Wednesday. (U.S. Congress Screenshot)
Peltola declines to vote for Arctic drilling bill she previously supported, citing fish policy

GOP campaign group targeting Alaska’s Democratic congresswoman says vote will be a campaign issue.

Glen McDaniel, Nick Villalobos and Zack Clark perform as the trio Simply Three, which is scheduled after a previous appearance in Juneau to return for a May 18 concert at Centennial Hall as part of this year’s Juneau Jazz and Classics festival. (Photo courtesy of Simply Three)
This year’s Juneau Jazz and Classics festival is stretching out

Festival that begins Saturday extended to two weeks and three Southeast communities.

The front page of the Juneau Empire on May 1, 1994. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Tuesday, April 30, 2024

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

Most Read