Britney Spears' eight-year-old niece Maddie ‘awake and talking’ after tragic ATV accident two days ago
- Jamie Lynn Spears' daughter, Maddie Aldrige, eight, was airlifted to a hospital
- She was driving an ATV at the family home when it flipped into the pond
- Maddie spent 'several minutes submerged underwater' and was unconscious
- On Tuesday she finally woke up surrounded by family including mom Jamie Lynn
- Doctors say she is talking and doesn't seem to have suffered any brain damage
- Maddie's aunt Britney Spears posted a plea for 'wishes and prayers' on Twitter
Britney Spears's eight-year-old niece has finally woken up after her devastating ATV accident on Sunday.
Maddie is now 'awake and talking' and her doctors say she does not seem to have suffered any neurological damage after she spent two minutes submerged underwater when her ATV flipped into the family pond.
Her mom Jamie Lynn Spears and her husband Jamie Watson had tried desperately to save their daughter but couldn't free her from her safety belt.
She was eventually rescued by paramedics who arrived within just a couple minutes and was airlifted to hospital where she has remained in a critical but stable condition until today.
Maddie finally regained consciousness at around midday on Tuesday, surrounded by family, who have been at her hospital bed since the accident.
Britney Spears's eight-year-old niece Maddie (left and with mom Jamie LYnn Spears, right) has woken up after her devastating ATV accident on Sunday
Maddie was submerged underwater for at least two minutes after she accidentally flipped the ATV into the pond in front of her horrified mother and stepfather
Maddie's aunt is singer Britney Spears who called for prayers and wishes for her niece yesterday
'She is aware of her surroundings and recognizes those family members who have kept a round-the-clock vigil since the accident,' the sheriff's office told People.
'Doctors were able to remove the ventilator today and she is awake and talking. Maddie continues to receive oxygen and is being monitored closely but it appears that she has not suffered any neurological consequences from the accident.”
Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff Daniel Edwards said the accident occurred shortly before 3pm on Sunday at the family home.
Maddie had been driving the Polaris ATV when she swerved to avoid a drainage ditch. That's when the vehicle flipped into the pond and immediately went under - trapping her underneath, according to the police report.
The entire incident took place in front of Maddie's horrified parents, Jamie Lee Spears, 25, and Jamie's husband Jamie Watson (pictured with his wife and step-daughter) who were just 100 yards away
The eight-year-old (pictured) was eventually rescued by paramedics when the ambulance arrived within just a couple minutes
Jamie Lynn and Jamie Watson were just 100 yards away.
'Within seconds the child's mother, step-father and other family members reached the pond, dove in and attempted to rescue the child to no avail, People reports.
'The child was trapped and secured by the seatbelt and the ATV's safety netting. Within two minutes, Acadian Ambulance Services arrived and assisted in freeing the child from the cold waters,' police said in a statement.
'This is an extremely tragic accident,' the report added.
Maddie's aunt Britney Spears posted a plea for 'wishes and prayers' on Twitter after the accident.
'Need all the wishes and prayers for my niece,' she wrote alongside a picture of Maddie.
The ATV had been a gift for her 7th birthday, TMZ reported.
The site reports that Maddie should never have been riding the vehicle as she was under the she of ten.
Maddie's aunt Britney Spears posted on Twitter: 'Need all the wishes and prayers for my niece'
Britney Spears' niece Maddie, 8, (with Britney) was left in a 'critical but stable condition' until today
TMZ obtained an instruction manual for the Polaris RZR 170 - the model the eight-year-old was riding - which states that no child under the age of 10 should be permitted to drive or be a passenger in the vehicle.
And, according to the website, it appears that the manufacturer has faced lawsuits in the past, following horrific accidents involving previous customers.
At least two of the cases reported on by TMZ involve severe injuries incurred after the ATV flipped mid-motion.
With regards to minimum age requirements, the site quotes the manual, which reads in part: 'Never allow a child under age 10 to operate or ride as a passenger in this vehicle... 'Permit continued use only if you [the parent] determine that your child has the ability and maturity to operate safely.'
In response, a spokesperson for Polaris told TMZ: 'The safety of our riders is our absolute top priority. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family.'
Urging fans to focus positive thoughts in the child's direction, Jamie Lynn's father, Jamie Spears, told ET: 'All I can say is pray for our baby Maddie.'
Jamie Lynn Spears (right) and her husband watched in horror as their daughter Maddie's (left) ATV flipped into a pond on Sunday
Spears' rep issued a statement on Sunday after the crash, which suggested media reports did not have the full story of what happened.
The statement said: 'The details the media are reporting surrounding the incident regarding Jamie Lynn's daughter Maddie are incorrect.
'Right now the Spears family asks that everyone respect their privacy during this time and appreciates all the prayers and support for their family.'
Multiple well-wishes were pouring in via social media Sunday night, praying for the child's recovery.
'Can everyone please stop and pray for Jamie Lynn Spears and her daughter Maddie right now. She was in a serious ATV accident. It's serious. Please. Pray. Omg. Please be okay baby girl, ' author Jaime Primak wrote.
'I feel sick ... everyone stop and pray for @jamielynnspears and her daughter Maddie right now. It's serious. Please. Pray. Omg. Please be okay baby girl.'
Call to prayer: Many Twitter users were sending kind vibes to the musical family amid the awful occurrence Sunday
Hoping for the best: Uplifting messages from fans of the family continued to pour in Sunday
User @LazNmatt1230 wrote: 'Praying that Maddie is ok and will be strong love you @britneyspears and the spears family my prayers and love go out to you.'
Jamie Lynn was the lead actress on the Nickelodeon series Zoey 101 from 2005 until 2008.
She made headlines in 2007 when she became pregnant with Maddie at 16; the child, whose father is Jamie Lynn's ex Casey Aldridge, was born June 19, 2008.
The young mother opened up about the experience last year in a TLC documentary titled Jamie Lynn Spears: When the Lights Go Out.
'I look back now and I'm like, 'Oh my gosh',' she said. 'I was a child then. I needed to grow up outside of the world's view.'
She's since turned her attention toward a career in country music, putting out an EP titled The Journey three years ago.
Speaking with People last June about her daughter, Jamie Lynn said Maddie's 'got such a sweet little heart.
'I feel like I've raised her with a lot of honesty, but I've also raised her with a lot of love,' she told the magazine. 'She's a very happy, content little girl, and there's nothing more a parent could ask for.
'That's my most proud accomplishment out of anything and always will be.'
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