Alien Ant Farm frontman Dryden Mitchell remains overseas recovering from serious back injuries suffered in a bus accident in Spain last week.
The impact fractured his C2 vertebra, which is likely to require surgery, according to a DreamWorks Records spokesperson.
Mitchell was transported to a London hospital Friday, where he was put in traction and outfitted with a metal halo that restricts movement in his upper body. There’s no word on when he may return home.
“I’m just so grateful that my injuries aren’t worse,” Mitchell said in a statement. “There will be a lot of rehabilitation and physical therapy, but I’m planning on working hard so the band can get back to writing songs, and then we can get in the studio and record the new album as soon as possible.”
Meanwhile, his three bandmates, all of whom were injured in the wreck, are recuperating at home, the DreamWorks spokesperson said.
Alien Ant Farm’s tour bus collided with a truck on May 22 while on its way to a gig in Portugal. In addition to Mitchell’s injuries, guitarist Terry Corso broke his ankle, bassist Tye Zamora chipped a bone in his foot, and drummer Mike Cosgrove sustained cuts and bruises.
The driver, 26-year-old Christopher Holland, was killed, and AAF’s security head, David Zajic, remains in critical condition with multiple skull and facial fractures.
“We are extremely concerned about David,” Mitchell’s statement continued. “He’s our best friend, and we’re praying for a full recovery.”
Last week the band canceled all of its May and June tour dates, and now the group has withdrawn from the July 27 Rolling Rock Town Fair as well.
Condolences and get-well notes can be sent to [email protected].
