PORTLAND — The Massachusetts schoolgirl who was impaled by a tree branch during a thunderstorm in Lebanon earlier this month was released today from Maine Medical Center.
Emily Malewicz, 10, of Millis, Mass., was discharged from the Portland hospital around 1 p.m., according to Jason A. Cole, the town of Lebanon’s assistant rescue chief.
Cole, who has been serving as a spokesman for the Malewicz family, said Emily is at home tonight after being examined by doctors at Boston Children’s Hospital.
The girl was camping with her family on the night of Aug. 9 when a thunderstorm blew down several large trees at the Flat Rock Bridge Family Resort. One of those trees landed on the family’s tent.
Doctors removed a 12-inch-long stick that pierced Emily’s body, less than an inch from her heart. She was initially listed in critical condition.
Cole said that when the girl is feeling better she will be driven to Lebanon to meet the rescue team members who helped her after the storm struck.
Lebanon’s Rescue Department has raised more than $6,000 to help pay for Emily’s medical expenses.
Emily is a quadruplet. Her parents are Kathleen and Peter Malewicz.
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