School rallies around injured MJHS student

Published 1:36 pm Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Students and faculty at Mortimer Jordan High School are rallying around one of their own this week.

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Amber Smith, 19, was seriously injured Saturday in a four-wheeler accident on Anderson Road in Morris shortly before 3:30 p.m.

Lt. Randy Christian of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office said Smith and a passenger were not wearing helmets when the four-wheeler collided head-on with another vehicle.

Smith was airlifted by Life Saver helicopter to UAB Hospital in Birmingham and was admitted to intensive care with head injuries, according to Christian.

The unidentified passenger was taken by ambulance to Children’s Hospital with head injuries.

While there is no official word on her condition, Mortimer Jordan Principal Barbara Snider said Smith has showed some signs of movement since the accident.

Snider said students and faculty have been regular visitors to the hospital since Smith’s accident.

The students are offering monetary support as well. Students have emptied their pockets and collected at least $265 to help Smith’s family with parking and meals during her hospital stay.

Students and staff have also brought drinks, snacks and other provisions to the hospital waiting room.

“The kids were putting five, 10 and 20-dollar bills in,” Snider said. “There is really an outpouring for the family. It’s their way of doing something for them.”