The family of a girl who was injured while attending the Georgia-Carolina State Fair said her condition continues to improve as she recuperates at a rehabilitation center.
Desire Northington, 13, was injured Oct. 26 while riding the Orbiter at the annual fair on Hale Street. The ride has since been impounded by District Attorney Danny Craig.
On Monday evening, Beverly Biddings said her granddaughter is making remarkable progress.
"She's doing very well. We're expecting that she may be released very shortly," she said.
Mrs. Biddings' husband, Walt, said: "It's like a miracle from God."
On Sunday afternoon, a group of girls from Tubman Middle School visited their classmate, Mrs. Biddings said.
She said speech and physical therapists have had a positive effect.
"She has even started to sing her hip-hop rap songs and is doing the 'Walk It Out' dance," Mrs. Biddings said.
On Friday, Mr. Craig announced that the Orbiter ride had been impounded by authorities with the Columbus County Sheriff's Office in North Carolina. Mr. Craig and other officials believe the ride might not have been operating properly and might have rotated in the wrong direction when Desire was injured.
Mrs. Biddings said she welcomes the scrutiny.
"I'm happy about the reinvestigation and hopefully, it will save someone else from going through what Desire has experienced," she said.
Reach Timothy Cox at (706) 823-3217 or timothy.cox@augustachronicle.com.
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