Tornado victim's parents see signs of recovery

Prindle family
Christina and Gerard Prindle of Hugo, with their children, Nathaniel, 2, and Annika, 4 in this photo from March 2008. Nathaniel was killed in the Sunday tornado which struck Hugo. Annika remains hospitalized in critical condition, and Gerard is in fair condition.
Photo courtesy of the Prindle family

(AP) - The 4-year-old girl seriously hurt when a tornado hit Hugo on Sunday remains in critical condition, but her family sees more reason for hope.

Gillette Children's Hospital in St. Paul says Annika Prindle remains in critical condition there. The hospital also released a new statement from her family.

Parents Christina and Gerard Prindle say Annika has extremely serious injuries but there are signs of progress and she continues to recover.

They say they appreciate the community's outpouring of support for their family.

Gerard Prindle is in good condition at Regions Hospital in St. Paul.

The only fatality in the tornado was the Prindle's 2-year-old son, Nathaniel. He was blown out of the family's house into a pond. A coroner determined he drowned.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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