Hillis thanked his family, the staff at Baptist Hospital in Pensacola, Florida – he was released from the hospital in mid-January – and “everyone who helped save my life.” He noted he’d been largely silent “because I’d like to keep my family out of the public eye because it was a very traumatic time for us.”
Hillis’ hospital stay came after he reportedly rescued members of his family from the ocean off the coast of Pensacola. He required a ventilator, which he was taken off on Jan. 12.
“I left the hospital with no worries and concerns and should make a 100% recovery.