An NIU Outing Centre staff member was released from a Champaign hospital Wednesday, leaving two students still recovering from injuries sustained Saturday morning when their van rolled down a hill.

Scott Lattyak left Carle Foundation Clinic after he was admitted Saturday for a chipped neck vertebrae and a pancreas bruised by his van seatbelt. Two vans were heading back from a backpacking and kayaking trip in Georgia, sponsored by the Office of Campus Recreation, when a trailer on the second van jack-knifed on an icy bridge along Interstate 74, sending the van careening down a nearby hill.

NIU senior James Loague, also a Northern Star reporter, was in good spirits Wednesday evening, although he’s still being watched closely by Carle doctors for internal bleeding and injuries he received after being thrown from the van. Loague underwent emergency surgery shortly after the 3:15 a.m. accident to repair damage to his kidneys, stomach and lungs.

Chemistry major Laura Pollock remains in stable condition at Carle, recovering from jaw and skull injuries after she, too, was thrown from the van. Six other passengers were treated and released from hospitals Saturday.

Police and NIU officials continue to investigate the accident, as well as driving procedures on the spring break trip. Outing Centre coordinators said the group planned to drive straight back from Georgia, alternating drivers every four hours.

No charges have been filed against the van’s driver.