Two Time Plane Crash Survivor Bounces Back and Fulfills a Dream

Two Time Plane Crash Survivor Bounces Back and Fulfills a Dream

digitalsportsnews | November 24, 2014
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"I can hear their voices in my head. When I face a difficult situation I can hear my dad guiding me. That's really all I strived to do my whole life ... to honor him with my life,” said Austin Hatch, of how he copes with the tragedy. In 2003, Austin was involved in a plane crash that killed his Mother, Brother, and Sister. His Father, Dr. Stephen Hatch was the pilot. Tragedy struck again in 2011 when another flight piloted by his father crashed and killed Dr. Hatch and his second wife. Austin and his dog survived. Just nine days before the crash happened, Austin committed to the University of Michigan. The second crash left Hatch more emotionally and physically damaged than the first. He spent two months in a coma with a traumatic brain injury, fractured ribs and a punctured lung. Losing his family within an eight year time span was a weight so heavy on his heart. "The emotional pain is never going to subside," Hatch said at the time. "Over time, the way I cope with my loss is going to change." He had to learn how to eat, breathe and walk again; things that most of us don’t even have to think about. Hatch feared that due to his injuries, he wouldn’t be able to play basketball again. His first day back on the basketball court was in January, and he scored a three-pointer in his first game for Loyola High in California, causing his coach and teammates to flood the court – and earning them a technical foul. On November 10th, he played his first game for the University of Michigan in a 43-point blowout against Wayne State. This game was the culmination of everything he had worked so hard to achieve. Hatch has dreamed about playing at the Crisler Center for a long, long time. With 1:41 remaining in the second half, Hatch was sent to the line. With just 12 seconds left, he sunk his free throw, scoring the first point of his college career. The crowd exploded in burst of cheer and his teammates congratulated him. This meant so much more to Hatch than just a point. Having him on the court "was a special moment" for his head coach as well, said Michigan's John Beilein. "Austin even led us in the fight song after the game was over," he said. "It was a great moment for our team; however, it was truly special for Austin and his grandfather, Jim, who was here in the stands."