Local teen out of hospital, recovering

Julie Faragher Julie Faragher, 16, has returned to her home in Stanwood after a 50-day stay in the hospital.

Julie was at Children's Hospital in Seattle recovering from an accident where her car entered a tributary of the Stillaguamish River while she was on Marine Drive April 15.

Now, she is about 95 percent recovered physically, said her mom, Kendall Faragher. Her lungs are still healing, but overall are doing well.

"She is doing remarkable," Kendall said. "She surpassed all her doctors' expectations weeks if not months ahead of their predictions."

Kendall said they appreciate all the support they have received from area residents.

"I can't imagine my life without Julie, and so I say again how thankful I am," she said.

Julie was rescued with help from Jeremy Darrow and Nathan McGrath, installers at Darrow's Carpets, as well as the Stanwood Police, Snohomish County Sheriff's Office and North County Fire/EMS.

North County Fire/EMS will present Darrow, McGrath, Stanwood Police Chief Ty Trenary and Stanwood Police Sgt. Barry Ruchty with bravery awards for their assistance in saving Julie. Trenary and Ruchty performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation on Julie after she was pulled from the river.

The ceremony will be held at 6 p.m., Wed., June 24, at Fire Station 97, at 19727 Marine Drive in Stanwood. The public is invited.

A medical account under Julie Faragher's name is at Frontier Bank in Stanwood.

Staff Reporter Kristi Pihl: 629-8066 (ext. 125) or kpihl@ scnews.com.