KANNAPOLIS — A woman critically injured in an explosion Feb. 27 is returning home from the hospital Friday, relatives said.
Sheila Wyrick, 46, has remained at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem since the accident in which she suffered burns over 36 percent of her upper body.
Wyrick’s stepfather, Jerry Williamson, said today that Wyrick has already undergone seven major surgeries and has “a bunch more to go.” She’s being released from the hospital after reaching the $500,000 maximum her health insurance would pay, he said.
But her family is thankful she’s alive after doctors gave her a 10 percent chance of survival.
“She’s got a long way to go … but she is coming home,” said Vickie Parham, another relative.
The explosion occurred at 1935 Angela Lane after Wyrick threw what she thought was diesel fuel on a bonfire behind the house, her brother said after the accident. But the fuel turned out to be gasoline, he said.
Wyrick’s clothing caught fire. Her nephew, Christian Arnette was burned attempting to put out the flames. Arnette was taken to Carolinas Medical Center-NorthEast in Concord and treated for his injuries.
Williamson said Wyrick has skin grafts on her arms, legs, stomach and part of her back. He said surgeons have “grafted about everything on her body, just about.”
He said his wife, Ann, has driven to the hospital in Winston-Salem nearly every day since the accident.
Williamson said the family wanted to thank the community for its support and prayers. Parham said entire churches have been praying for Wyrick and the family has received prayer shawls for her.
Wyrick is going to need more support and prayer, they said, as she enters another phase of recovery.
“She’s doing good,” Williamson said. He added, though, “She’s got a long road.”