ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - The lone survivor of a hot air balloon crash last year is being called a miracle.According to Keith Sproul, his doctors said he shouldn't be alive and that his positive attitude has helped in his recovery.
Sproul fell from the gondola when his hot-air balloon crashed into power lines during last year's Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.
Sproul said he broke a leg, foot, hip, pelvis and seven ribs. He also suffered a damaged spinal cord and collapsed and punctured lungs.
Sproul was brought to the intensive care unit at a local hospital. He woke up a month later and took his first baby steps last month.
He's had nine surgeries since his accident.
"I don't remember the accident but I've been told what happened," said Sproul.
Last October, witnesses — including Sproul's wife — watched as the pilot and his friend, Steven Lachendro, fell out of the gondola.
Lachendro died at the scene.
He was from Pennsylvania.
"We saw the man fall out of the balloon lifeless," Nicole Grant told News 13 at the time. "We were screaming, 'Help him, help him.'"
Sproul said the wind was bad that day.
"At his (Lachendro's) funeral... the children said, 'Our father was doing what he loved best he had a fantastic flight he had a bad landing keep on flying,'" Sproul said. "That's what I want remembered."
In fact, Sproul said he's planning to fly again soon and he hopes people visit this year's Balloon Fiesta with the same attitude.
Sproul said he registered for this year's Balloon Fiesta the first day he could and is already planning on building his next hot-air balloon.
"The balloonists that ask, 'Are you going to fly again?' ... They expect an answer of yes," said Sproul. "Non-balloonists get a little bit surprised, but get back on the horse as soon as you can."
Sproul is from New Jersey, and said he may stick around Albuquerque even after he's discharged later this month.
He has been flying hot air balloons for about a decade and has so far built four hot-air balloons.
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