Family of Critically Injured Wyandotte Boy Thanks Community for Support

The family of a 14-year-old student hit by a train on Tuesday released a statement Thursday night thanking the community for its support.

Jacob Marion is set to undergo surgery Friday at Children's Hospital of Michigan, where he is listed in critical condition, according to the statement.

For the first time since the incident, the family has released the severity of his injuries, which include severe head trauma, a fractured pelvis and the loss of his right hand.

The teen was struck and dragged by a train near Oak and Ninth streets about 4:30 p.m. Tuesday. According to police, while wearing an iPod and headphones when the train hit him. The train's engineer blew a whistle several times, but it's believed the teen never even heard it.

Here is the full statement from his family:

The family of Jacob Marion would like to thank everyone from the bottom of their hearts, and appreciate all the kindness and prayers. His mother believes that those positive messages and prayers have helped pull Jacob through thus far. He remains in critical condition at this time. Injuries he sustained in the accident include: severe head trauma, 2 broken vertebrae in his neck, a punctured lung, a lacerated liver,  fractured pelvis, and sadly, the loss of his right hand.

He is scheduled to undergo surgery tomorrow morning as long as he remains stable. At that time surgeons will repair his lacerated liver, affix a halo to his skull to stabilize his neck, as well as plastic surgery to cleanly amputate his right hand. Jacob’s family has asked that everyone keep Jacob in their prayers while he and his family tackle this next hurdle.

His mother works at St. Vincent de Paul and is the sole provider for Jacob and his siblings. Many people in the community have collected donations and are holding fundraisers to help support the family and offset medical costs. We are truly humbled by everyone’s generosity and plans are underway to set up a fund to accept donations for Jacob at a local bank. The family will update everyone after the surgery tomorrow and provide final information on where donations can be sent. Again, PLEASE continue to pray for Jacob and his family!!!