MCHS student suffers severe burns Saturday

A birthday party for a 17-year-old Madison County teen turned tragic Saturday night when she was badly burned from a bonfire on Fowler Freeman Road.

Madison Hoxit, a junior at Madison County High School, was airlifted to Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta with second and third degree burns on her thighs, lower stomach and left hand. According to the 9-1-1 report, there was some type of accelerant involved in the accident.

According to her mom, Brandy Hendricks, Madison underwent surgery Monday morning at the hospital’s burn unit.

County EMS director Jason Lewis said Tuesday that Madison was alert and conscious when ambulance and rescue crews arrived at the scene Saturday night and was even able to walk to the ambulance. He said her stepdad, Joey Hendricks, who works for the county’s E-911 dispatch had called to thank everyone for their care and quick action during the crisis.

Lewis said Madison is likely looking at a “significantly long” hospital stay while she undergoes treatment and noted that burns are one of the most painful of injuries to recover from.

Statements of prayers and support have flooded the family’s Facebook pages and a fund has been set up at First Madison Bank to help the family with travel and medical expenses during the coming weeks.

According to the flyer, donations can be made in person at any bank branch, or mailed to First Madison Bank, P.O. Box 389, Colbert, GA 30628. Checks should be made payable to Madison Hoxit, with “attention Teresa Cooper” on the subject line.