On February 24, 2012, it was announced that His Royal Highness Prince Johan Friso of Oranje-Nassau has “… permanent brain damage and may never regain consciousness…” notes Wolfgang Koller, head of ICU and Trauma Center, during a press conference at Innsbruck University Hospital in Innsbruck, Austria.
As you may know by now, Prince Johan Friso was struck by an avalanche on Friday, February, 17, 2012 in Lech, Austria. The second son of Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands and the late Prince Claus was buried alive for — what has now been confirmed — 25 minutes. The search and rescue team who found Prince Johan Friso tried desperately for 50 minutes to resuscitate the Prince. They succeeded; however, because the Prince Johan Friso lacked oxygen for 25 minutes his brain was permanently damaged.
At this time, the Dutch royal family are looking for a rehabilitation center for His Royal Highness Prince Johan Friso of Oranje- Nassau in, what many believe, the Netherlands.
Click here to watch a video from the press conference.
My thoughts as well as prayers go out to Prince Johan Friso, Princess Mabel, their children, Her Majesty Queen Beatrix and the entire Dutch royal family.
Source: NOS
That’s terrible news although it seemed that’s the way it was going. How dreadful for his mother, wife, daughters and family. So very sad.
That is very bad news, hope for a miracle to happen !
My thoughts go out for the family’ to give them strength during a difficult time ahead.
Such sad news. I feel very sorry for the Queen, his wife and kids.
So sad. My heart and thoughts are with the family. I also feel for the family friend; I hope the Austrians don’t harass him with an investigation.
Backcountry skiing is so risky. In Washington State, we had three experienced skiers die in an avalanche on the same day. The fourth survived because of an air bag. They were skiing across the state highway from a very popular ski resort; they were just “out of bounds”, not in the back country.
I think of Gabrielle Giffords and how she recovered; however, if her brain was deprived of oxygen, it was only for a few minutes.
Nevertheless, the family must remain hopeful. The alternative, at least at this early stage, is emotionally devastating.
We all knew this!
So incredibly sad. He is such a lovely man with a beautiful family. I feel so sorry for the Queen and his family. So tragic!
That is the most terrible news….
No matter what Healt is the most preciouw asset in life
My thoughts are with the family
Very upset,I pray for all dutch Royal Family
I’ve been praying for HRH Prince Johan Friso and the entire royal family since the accident. I’m still in shock upon hearing the latest news… so sad.
If anyone is interested you can send you messages of support, love, and prayers to Princess Mabel, Her Majesty Queen Beatrix, and the entire Dutch royal family to the address below:
Paleis Noordeinde
P.O. Box 30412
2500 GK Den Haag
This is so sad. I don’t care how famous, wealthy, or royal you are – this is just tragic. Poor, poor Queen Bea.