Stage collapse victim out of coma, still battling pneumonia

A Pendleton woman severely injured in the stage collapse is now out a medically induced coma, but still faces a major challenge in her road to recovery.

Andrea Vellinga, 30, has spent the last three weeks at Methodist Hospital for the before being transferred over the weekend to a St. Vincent facility.

Vellinga sustained severe head injuries after the stage collapsed at the Indiana State Fair on August 13.

Pendleton High School Athletic Director and family friend Shari Doud told Fox59, Vellinga's vitals are "stable" and that Vellinga began physical and occupational therapy Tuesday to help stimulate brain function.

Doud also said Vellinga is responsive to pain. When doctors tested her pain receptors, she frowned, even shed a tear; something she couldn't do a week ago.

Doud said Vellinga is making strides, but she is still battling pneumonia which is slowing her recovery down.

Her family is keeping supporters updated via a Facebook group.

On Sunday night, a friend named Hailey wrote, "Saw Andrea tonight after the prayer meeting. She looks good, squeezed my hand a lot! She opened eyes with more focus than before, too. I told her about my day as she was caressing my hand with her thumb ;) Being with her was the best part of my day."

On Monday, Vellinga's brother posted a plea for supporters to pray that his sister's pneumonia is healed and that her brain swelling to continues to go down.

Her family and friends are convinced Vellinga will get through it, although she faces a long recovery.