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CNN Live At Daybreak

Private Jessica Lynch Suffers From Form of Amnesia

Aired May 06, 2003 - 05:38   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Pentagon sources are telling us this morning that Private Jessica Lynch, a rescued POW, suffers from a form of amnesia.
CNN's Patty Davis has more for you.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PATTY DAVIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It turns out Jessica Lynch may not remember much of her ordeal. Doctors say it's not uncommon to have amnesia after such a traumatic event. Lynch as plucked out of an Iraqi hospital in a daring rescue by U.S. troops nine days after her 507th Maintenance Unit was ambushed by Iraqi troops.

The Private First Class is recovering at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. from her wounds, including a head laceration, spinal injury, two broken legs, a broken right arm and right foot.

One defense official says Lynch told her debriefers she does not remember details from the time of the ambush to the point where she was brought to the Iraqi hospital, where she was rescued.

Lynch's doctors say her amnesia is not consistent and it vacillates. A spokeswoman says doctors are not concerned about amnesia, her mental and physical state. In fact, doctors say they're pleased with her progress. She's in satisfactory condition undergoing occupational and physical therapy.

The U.S. military has been hoping Lynch can shed some light on the brutality that she and her fellow soldiers in the 507th Maintenance Unit suffered at the hands of the Iraqis, nine of whom were killed in the ambush. But Lynch isn't the only eyewitness. Five others in Lynch's unit were also taken prisoner by the Iraqis and rescued by U.S. troops weeks later.

(on camera): They're back home in the U.S. They, like Lynch, could help provide crucial details to the ambush and their captivity, as well as possible Iraqi war crimes.

Patty Davis, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com





Aired May 6, 2003 - 05:38   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Pentagon sources are telling us this morning that Private Jessica Lynch, a rescued POW, suffers from a form of amnesia.
CNN's Patty Davis has more for you.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PATTY DAVIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It turns out Jessica Lynch may not remember much of her ordeal. Doctors say it's not uncommon to have amnesia after such a traumatic event. Lynch as plucked out of an Iraqi hospital in a daring rescue by U.S. troops nine days after her 507th Maintenance Unit was ambushed by Iraqi troops.

The Private First Class is recovering at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. from her wounds, including a head laceration, spinal injury, two broken legs, a broken right arm and right foot.

One defense official says Lynch told her debriefers she does not remember details from the time of the ambush to the point where she was brought to the Iraqi hospital, where she was rescued.

Lynch's doctors say her amnesia is not consistent and it vacillates. A spokeswoman says doctors are not concerned about amnesia, her mental and physical state. In fact, doctors say they're pleased with her progress. She's in satisfactory condition undergoing occupational and physical therapy.

The U.S. military has been hoping Lynch can shed some light on the brutality that she and her fellow soldiers in the 507th Maintenance Unit suffered at the hands of the Iraqis, nine of whom were killed in the ambush. But Lynch isn't the only eyewitness. Five others in Lynch's unit were also taken prisoner by the Iraqis and rescued by U.S. troops weeks later.

(on camera): They're back home in the U.S. They, like Lynch, could help provide crucial details to the ambush and their captivity, as well as possible Iraqi war crimes.

Patty Davis, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com