OCEAN CITY – The Fourth of July holiday weekend was marred when a Baltimore teen suffered a significant neck and spinal cord injury in the surf.
On July 4, Ben Paepcke, a 2018 graduate of Calvert Hall College High School in Baltimore, was body-surfing with his friends in front of a lifeguard stand when he dove under and did not come up, according to a Go Fund Me page set up in his name by his family. Ocean City Beach Patrol lifeguards immediately assessed the situation and rushed into the water to rescue Paepke.
Other OCBP lifeguards in the area also responded and assisted in stabilizing Paepcke’s neck and back. Once stabilized, Paepcke was transported from the beach. At the hospital, it was discovered Paepcke had broken his neck at C5 and suffered a spinal cord injury. Once he was stabilized, Paepke was transported to Shock Trauma in Baltimore where he was undergoing testing and preparing for multiple surgeries.
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20 comments:
According to the beach patrol, he ran across the beach and dove in head first.
Apparently, that 19 year old never learned about diving into water you don't know the depth of. Frankly, I'm amazed he made it this long in life.
10:20, that was a stupid and thoughtless comment. You clearly have not experienced tragedy in your life. God help you when it strikes.
A stunningly insensitive comment, 10:20.
An injury at C5 affects the shoulders on down.. this kid is pretty well screwed, and I'm sure he knows it by now, don't you think?
It's hard to say how this happened, but it certainly doesn't help to kick some sand in his face while he's down. He messed up big time, and I'm sure he knows that.
I hope he and his family can get through this OK. There are a lot of newer therapies that can help regenerate the nerve tissues and reduce the damage, and a lot of supplements like B12 that can be very helpful too.
I wish this family well, and hope that others will learn from this mistake.
Dear 10:20,
I will chime in and echo the comments of others here so you may fully realize the callous and inconsiderate nature of your remarks. Accidents do occur, and your statements infer that the young man was acting in a careless or haphazard fashion. Even if this is the case, why would it be at all necessary for you to chime in on this forum and share your viewpoint in a quite heartless manner? My advice would be to keep your comments to yourself, and take time to pray for this young man and all that he is going through right now.
Regards,
Paladin
No matter whether 1020’s comment is viewed as heartless and inconsiderate or not, the bottom line is it was a very juvenile and not well thought out action to take. No comments on here are going to change the outcome of his progress or lack there of. But his juvenile horseplay is going to result in a very long road ahead for he and his family, filled with a lot of emotion no doubt.
I have news for you, 10:20 EVERYONE does something stupid when they are young, EVERYBODY! How are the negative comments helping ?? I think he learned his lesson, right? Prayers for this young man and prayers for those people who are so self-righteous that they NEVER make mistakes.
1020 -122 at it again I see. Take your meds time for a nap.
The one part of this very sad story that has not been mentioned is the fact that, while the injury is very serious, that young man is probably alive today due to the alertness of the very dedicated OC Beach Patrol.
He certainly could've drowned unnoticed.
Take this one step further - sign.or flag on beach - No diving - shallow water. Just like it is done with rip tides, car seat belts. Just saying.
AMEN.
Common sense plays a big roll in survival. No diving, shallow water signs are not needed on the beach !!!
I read a sign the other day in Baltimore and it said gun free zone and then I was driving and the speed limit said 55 but people kept passing me while I was doing 60.. think people see a sign and obey? Just
saying your pretty naive.
My Prayers Are With You ! Your Young ...Fight It And You Will Overcome !!
Agreed!! Prayers sent for him and his family.
I don't know how many times I have seen these dumba$$es rip their shirts off and run as hard as they can to the surf and dive in. That is the worst thing you can do.
God Bless him and I really pray that he will be able to walk again.
every year tourists come down here and do the dumbest things from dodging traffic to handstands on balconies to late night swimming while drunk, stopping in the middle or the road to look at a pony! wtf is wrong with the people who come here and leave what little intelligence they have at home?
and if one mentions the obvious they are labeled insensitive!
damn snowflakes!
I swear one could run a deadpool for oc and have to pay out every week, just to many stupid people in this world!
C-5, he's lucky. He can avoid the respirator for the rest of his life.
Teenage brains are different. They do dumb things, and most of us did dumb things when we were teenagers. The person who made the very insensitive remark at the top of this topic should think about their own teenage decisions. Seems that some people just like to hear their own voices/read their own words.
Wish I ad a nickle for all the dumb shit I did when I was a teenager. I could retire and move away from here.
In the behalf of 10:20 and not to upset you snowflakes,always jump in FEET FIRST.If you had an ounce of sense you would teach your kids that.
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