Peripeteia in Nicaragua
When a surfer's fortune turns tragic in an instant
Rescuers and law enforcement professionals bear witness to the grim reality of accidents as part of their regular shift work. Lifeguards often see this misfortune as it unfolds in real time. We are always watching from the vantage of an observation tower or bluff, or vehicle/vessel patroling our littoral realm. In a career of EMS work one either develops mental skills to detach from the up close and personal nature of this reality, or the work eventually takes it toll and the career is a short one. When tragedy strikes one of our own this detachment from the pain and suffering is much more difficult. Even when it takes place thousands of miles away, and we didn’t experience being dispatched or the code three response (both of which can be chaotic and adrenaline filled). Even though we never made it “on scene”. This is the case recently as my former co-worker and friend Todd was run over by a panga fishing boat while surfing in a remote part of Nicaragua. Many friends and co-workers are struggling with worry and helpless emotions now, unable to help Todd from so far away.
Todd is an amazing fisherman, free diver, and surfer. His ability to spot kelp paddys and fish signs from a boat offshore are legendary. No one I’ve fished with has Todd’s eyes for finding fish. He is a blue water hunter, and has speared many tuna over one hundred pounds while freediving. He is also an accomplished tandem surfer. Tandem surfers are a rarity in a world where it seems like nearly everyone surfs. The tandem form is the most elegant in all of surfing. I have worked with and run emergency calls with Todd in La Jolla, he is level headed and highly capable in all of the aspects of ocean lifesaving. He has certainly rescued and treated people for the type of accident and injury he suffered.
The details from Central America are still coming in. Our good friend Ed Harris is with Todd now and helping to arrange his evacuation from Managua to Miami for the multiple surgeries and advanced care he needs to repair his nearly amputated leg.
From my correspondence with Ed:
“Todd had taken a left and was moved down the beach due to strong current. This is the area where surfers and pangas mix. He was standing in chest deep water with back to beach and ear plugs in. He ducked a wave and then was hit from behind as the boat was going out. He almost lost consciousness due to the blow to the head (required stitches). The boat driver looked back and kept going. He is not a normal boat operator and should not have been driving. He tried to stand and saw his mangled leg flopping around. He was able to remove the leash from left foot and use it to apply tourniquet. Todd was waving for help unable to effectively move. Alia and others entered the water and supported various parts of his body. They extricated to a Land rover where several people supported his body, leg, head down a bumpy dirt road. They transferred him to an ambulance that took him to a clinic. They
ensured the doctor there did not take his leg off, which would be the norm here. He lost a lot of blood so they stabilized his leg and gave blood transfusion, then sent to Managua. He is expected to make a full recovery.”
Todd was surfing a spot called Punta Miramar.
There is a rivermouth just south of the wave that pumps sand out into the line up which creates the surf spot. This is a common geographic surf feature in Central America. The river mouth estuary is called Estero Brasil. You can see a panga about to exit the estero in the following photo. The left sandbar is working too.
Todd’s leg with an external fixator in the hospital in Nicaragua:
To help Todd:
EJ