By C1 Staff
BAIRD, Texas — Surrounded by members of his community, the Texas correctional officer who survived a devastating January prison bus crash is speaking publicly for the first time.
“I think it’s a miracle that I’m sitting here,” Jason Self said, according to Everything Lubbock. “I’m getting letters from all over the nation and phone calls, and just, I don’t know where to begin to, you know, to try and show my appreciation for the support.”
Many showed up to listen to Self at the Baird Elementary School, most wearing shirts that were sold to support him and his family through his recovery.
His daughter also spoke about her father’s recovery and the community’s support.
“It’s good to know that they are all loving and supporting him,” Haley Self said. “He’s my dad, and I love him no matter what he does, but seeing everybody just saying ‘we’re praying for you and if you need anything just call us,’ and I just love the support.”
Self was released from the hospital in late January to continue his recovery at a rehabilitation center. He was sent home from there in early February.
He is the only surviving correctional officer from a deadly bus crash near Odessa last month, which killed two other officers and eight inmates.