'Multiple broken bones': Lone survivor of fatal helicopter crash in recovery

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The lone survivor of Friday's fatal helicopter crash continues to fight for his life, according to family members.

National Guardsman Aircraft Crew Chief Jacob Pratt is one of four people who were en route towards the southern Texas border in a National Guard helicopter when it crashed in La Grulla, killing the other three people onboard.

The NYS Council of School Superintendents organized a GoFundMe page Monday on behalf of the Pratt family.

"Jacob is currently receiving treatment in Texas for severe injuries sustained in the crash. He has suffered multiple broken bones, including fractures in his back, ribs, leg and pelvis," the GoFundMe states. 

On Tuesday, the Pratt family shared the latest update on Jacob's road to recovery.

"Jacob is headed back into surgery today with the hope of getting him off the ventilator later this week," the Pratt family said.

The upstate New York family traveled to the Rio Grande Valley to be with Jacob who is currently hospitalized at the South Texas Health System Hospital in McAllen.

Friday's helicopter crash claimed the lives of two National Guard soldiers from New York, Casey Frankoski and John Grassia, and Christopher Luna, a Valley Border Patrol agent from Edinburg.

The City of Edinburg hosted a candlelight vigil to honor the hometown Border Patrol agent and the two National Guard soldiers.

Texas Department of Public Safety South Texas Regional Director Victor Escalon said the helicopter was not part of Operation Lone Star, Governor Greg Abbott’s border security initiative to secure the border.

The cause of the accident is still under investigation.