53 Haitian orphans arrive in Pittsburgh

One of the few bright spots from the devastation in Haiti is the rescue of more than 50 orphans, who have landed in Pittsburgh today.

From The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:

A plane carrying 53 Haitian orphans landed today at Pittsburgh International Airport, ending a weeklong struggle to rescue the children from an earthquake-battered orphanage run by two Ben Avon sisters.

One of the sisters and an orphan were left behind during the desperate scramble to leave Port-au-Prince airport. They are expected to arrive in Pittsburgh by tomorrow, said Gov. Ed Rendell, who along with U.S. Rep. Jason Altmire, D-McCandless, led a contingency of medical staff, family members and others to the Caribbean nation devastated by last week's 7.0-magnitude earthquake.

"These kids were unbelievable, after all they've been through with their lives and the hurricane," Rendell said. "Their spirit was unbelievable."

Medical personnel who traveled with the children said some of them were suffering from mild dehydration, but Children's Hospital President Chris Gessner said none was in serious condition.

"It's pretty mild," he said.

About 50 doctors and nurses began medical treatment aboard Port Authority buses that met the plane at the airport after its 9:20 a.m. arrival. The children then were taken to Children's Hospital in Lawrenceville about 11 a.m. Some were sleeping, others wide eyed and carrying toys.

Read the full story and view photos at the newspaper's Web site:

53 Haitian orphans arrive in Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review