Teen Diving Accident Leaves 19-Year-Old in ICU; Community Rallying for Recovery
A 19-year-old, Aiden Sloan, is in intensive care after a diving accident in Hampton Beach, New Hampshire, where he collided with an unseen sandbar, causing severe neck injuries and limited mobility. The incident, which occurred on a Monday afternoon, has sparked a wave of community support for the young man, who is recovering under the care of his family and local residents.
Sloan was with his cousins when the accident happened, as they were playing in the water to beat the heat. According to Hampton Beach Fire Chief Michael McMahon, the accident was a result of misjudging the depth of the water. "He was diving into the water into the waves, I’ve done it a thousand times, and I think it was more shallow than he expected," McMahon explained to Fox News Digital.
The severity of the injuries led to Aiden being taken to the hospital, where he underwent surgery within 12 hours of the incident. His mother, Melina Burton, described the situation, emphasizing the importance of the quick response from his cousins, who pulled him out of the water and ensured he received medical attention. "He was just, like, not moving at all," one of the cousins told NBC10 Boston, adding that it was like they were carrying a dead body.
Despite the grim circumstances, there is hope for Aiden’s recovery. His employer, the Nash Casino, has pledged to donate a portion of sales to his medical expenses, showing the community’s solidarity. "A member of our Greenleaf family, Aiden Sloan, unfortunately suffered a serious neck injury while having a fun day at Hampton beach earlier this week," Greenleaf Milford stated in a Facebook post, "Aiden joined our Greenleaf family at a young age, and we watched him grow as a person and a cook over the years and he and his family have our full love and support during these difficult times."
Sloan is expected to remain in the hospital for several weeks before transitioning to a rehabilitation facility. His mother remains optimistic, stating that the young man is trying to remain strong and take each day as it comes. "They (doctors) ask him multiple times a day if he can move his hands and his fingers, if he could move his feet and toes, and if he can lift his knees. Or if he can feel anything in his midsection, and he gets very defeated and hopeless when he can’t," Burton explained. "And he doesn’t understand why they keep asking him to try these things. So he’s very tearful. He’s very emotional today, which for anybody who knows Aiden, it is not who he is at all. He is always smiling and joking and happy. And even when, you know, life isn’t going so great for him, he is still always just trying to make people laugh. So to see him so defeated and hopeless right now is really heartbreaking."
While the exact prognosis is still uncertain, there is a sense of collective hope and support. The incident has also raised awareness about the hidden dangers of waterfront activities, especially during hot weather, and the importance of being vigilant when engaging in such activities. As the community comes together to support Aiden and his family, the story serves as a reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of community solidarity in times of crisis.