UGA student injured in New Orleans attack shares heartwarming reunion with friend on social media
New Orleans terror attack: Who are the victims?
This terror attack has upended the lives of so many people who were just having a good time celebrating the New Year. The FBI says a man on a mission to cause terror went on a killing spree on New Orleans' most famous street, killing 14 and injuring dozens of others, including a University of Georgia student.
NEW ORLEANS - The University of Georgia student injured in the New Year's Day attack in New Orleans is continuing on her path to recovery.
Elle Eisele was one of the dozens injured when a truck barreled through a crowd during New Year's Day celebrations on Bourbon Street. Fourteen people were killed in the attack. Federal officials believe the driver, identified as former U.S. Army soldier Shamsud-Din Jabbar, was inspired by the Islamic State militant group to carry out the attack.
Following the violence, UGA President Jere W. Morehead wrote on X that he was "deeply saddened" and confirmed that a Georgia student had been critically injured.
Days later, Eisele remains in the ICU, but sent out a positive message over the weekend on her Instagram account.
Eisele shared a post from a Florida TV station showing her reunited with her friend Steele Idelson, who was also injured in the attack.
According to NBC2, Eisele and Idleson held hands and cried when they saw each other for the first time.
"So happy my best friend is alive and by my side," Eisele wrote on her Instagram story.
Eisele and Idleson's parents told the news outlet that the friends spent around two hours together.
The Athens-Banner Herald reports that Eisele had previously said that she continues to fight to recover and was grateful that she wasn't killed in the attack.
"With more gratitude than you can fathom I wanted to let my friends and family know that I am fighting and I am healing. Most importantly I am alive and I am so thankful that God spared Steele and myself," she wrote. "I’m reading your messages and I’m thankful for your support and love and one day soon I’ll be replying to you. Please keep praying for all of us survivors."
Both students remain at the University Medical Center in New Orleans. Medical officials have not given a timeline for their recovery.
GoFundMe has a page dedicated to official fundraisers for the families of victims of the attack. You can find that by clicking here.
The Source: Information for this story was taken from reporting by NBC2, the Athens Banner-Herald, and previous FOX 5 stories.