Two Fort Myers teens critically injured in a New Year’s Day attack were reunited for the first time on Saturday at a New Orleans hospital.
In the early hours of New Year's Day, Shamsud-Din Jabbar was accused of deliberately driving a pickup truck into a crowd in the French Quarter District. The attack claimed the lives of over a dozen people and injured more than 30 others.
Among the injured were 19-year-old Fort Myers residents Elle Eisele and Steele Idelson . Both young women suffered broken bones and internal injuries in the incident.
Although Elle Eisele remains in the ICU, their families worked with hospital staff to arrange for Steele Idelson to visit her room.
The two were finally able to see each other, reuniting for the first time since the tragic attack.
Eisele and Idelson, co-captains of the Canterbury School soccer team and 2023 graduates, held hands and cried during the emotional reunion.
Grateful to have survived, the teens shared a moment of solace despite their ongoing recovery.
Eisele posted a statement to her Instagram following the attack:
"With more gratitude than you can fathom, I wanted to let my friends and family know that I am fighting and I am healing. Most importantly, I am alive, and I am so thankful that God spared Steele and myself. I'm reading your messages, and I'm thankful for your support and love and one day soon, I'll be replying to you! Please keep praying for all of us survivors"
Their parents told NBC2 that the girls spent about two hours together, and the visit significantly boosted their spirits.
DOWNLOAD the free NBC2 News app for your latest news and weather alerts.