Seriously Burned Ukrainian Girl Flown to the United States

KIEV, Ukraine -- A charter plane with five-year old heroine on board departed on Thursday evening heading for Boston, the USA, according to Ukrinform.

Nastya Ovchar, a five-year old resident of Kharkiv region, was seriously injured in a fire, rescuing her two-year old sister, and is in a very grave condition. On the flight to the US, she was accompanied by her mother and doctors, said Ukrainian Ombudswoman Nina Karpachova, who was instructed by President Viktor Yushchenko to take control of the case. Nastya was badly burned on more than 80% of her skin, and needs urgent medical treatment. She was flown to Boston Shriners Hospital in Boston, MA where she is supposed to undergo several skin transplantation surgeries. Nastya will stay in Boston for several months.

The little girl was transported by a plane of the company "AeroStar", which handles special flights. Earlier, Nastia was supposed to be transported to Germany, but because of difficulties, it was decided not to lose time and to transport her to the USA.

President Viktor Yushchenko and his wife Kateryna Chumachenko Yushchenko have been taking care of the girl since the first day, when the accident happened.

Kateryna Yushchenko managed to hasten the process of visas and travel documents execution at the US Embassy. Ukraine Parliament (Verkhovna Rada) members and some other patrons sponsored Nastya's flight of mercy to the USA.