Watch CBS News

Art Crawl For Hastings Teen In A Coma

HASTINGS, Minn. (WCCO) -- A Hastings teenager in a coma for nearly a week is getting lots of love and support from friends and family in a very unique way.

Brian Gapp, 16, lost control of his car on his way to school last Tuesday -- wrapping it around a tree. His injuries were so bad doctors placed him in a medically induced coma.

"We wish you were here. We miss you a lot, and we hope that you get better," said Dennis Gapp, speaking to his son through his hand held video recorder.

Fighting back tears, Dennis said, "You go to the hospital, you wait to find out what's wrong. He had multiple skull fractures, serious head injury."

He says his son is introverted, mature beyond his 16 years and a lover of art. In fact, he'd wanted to visit the St. Paul Art Crawl.

Now, he's getting his chance.

The videos taken at the Art Crawl by friends and family will be made into a documentary. When Brian is fully awake he'll get to see the place he's longed for, full of people who miss him dearly.

"We get to share the experience of trying to figure out how would he feel about this piece, and how would he be talking to his friends right now about something," said Brian's older brother, Phil. "What are the jokes they'd be saying?"

Everyone at the event has a message for the Hastings High School Junior. Their common thread: get back to us soon.

While loved ones prepared their project, a small miracle happened at the hospital. Brian's family said he awoke from his coma for a few moments, opened his eyes and squeezed the nurse's hand before going back under.

Doctors hope to have Brian fully awake by Tuesday or Wednesday.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.