VIDEO | Matt Hughes honors ICU nurses who helped him recover from horrifying accident

UFC Hall of Fame legend Matt Hughes is well on his way to recovering from his horrifying accident.

In June, Hughes was involved in a crash when his pickup truck that he was driving was struck by a train while crossing the train tracks. Hughes was airlifted to the HSHS St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, Illinois near his hometown and was cared for by the medical staff.

After being released from the hospital, Hughes along with his wife Audra and daughters Hanna and Katelyn made their way back to the medical facility on Tuesday to honor the staff that helped save his life.

“My family and friends have told me that the entire team at St. John’s was really good to me and all of them,” Hughes said at the hospital via MMA Fighting. “It means the world to me. Thank you all so very much.”

HSHS St. John’s Hospital Intensive Care Unit nurses Ashley Hull and Megan Simpson helped Hughes and his family and friends during his treatment at the center. Hughes’ close friend Tony Zucca nominated Hull and Simpson for the DAISY nurse award, which is given to a nurse at the hospital every month. Hull and Simpson were given the award in October and November, according to MMA Fighting.

Zucca also thanked Hull and Simpson for their help with caring for the former UFC welterweight champion’s life.

“They were extremely patient and knowledgeable with our countless questions; they would bring coffee when our eyes couldn’t stay open a minute longer,” Zucca said. “And the professionalism they displayed instilled confidence in us in that we knew Matt was in great hands. They are masters of their craft and the most caring nurses I have ever encountered. Matt has a long road ahead of him, and I can say with certainty that the family wishes Ashley and Megan could stick with us every step of the way. St. John’s should be proud of employing people of their caliber.”

on 10/4/2017.