SONORA, Mexico (11 Sep 2007) -- Local tour guide Char White suffered a critical spinal cord injury last weekend in a scuba diving accident more than 25 miles off shore from the Mexican resort of Rocky Point. Her son, Peter White, gave her CPR immediately and continued throughout a harrowing boat ride to shore, ambulance trips across Northern Sonora and Southern Arizona to Ajo and finally by helicopter to Tucson. Char White was at University of Arizona Medical Center on Tuesday, being treated for a Type II Odontoid fracture of her spinal column, an injury that immediately rendered her paralyzed. Peter White said everyone is hoping she'll recover all or some of her senses. He said Tuesday she's under sedation. "She's holding up. She's not in the best shape," he said. He added, "No visitors, no calls, please." He also said, "We could use a lot of prayer … and the power of the Lord to have a miracle." Char White had organized a trip to the ocean resort Rocky Point and then 25 miles southeast to Bird Island. Green Valley acquaintances said she'd done this trip before. Some of the tour members were snorkeling next to the island, looking at ocean life in the crystal water, while swimming around their ship, the Fiesta Cruiser. | | Tour guide Char White was airlifted to the University of Arizona Medical Center where she is in critical condition after a freak diving accident in Mexico. "She'd just put on her mask" Peter White said, when someone slid down a slide from the ship's upper deck into the water. He landed on her back, neck and head. Peter White said he immediately went to help her. A power boat took both mother and son to shore in about 45 minutes. Two nurses on the ship also helped, he said. Help had been summoned on shore. After a brief stay at a Rocky Point hospital, the high speed trip to Tucson medical help started. "I was breathing for her," he said describing the CPR he administered. SOURCE - Green Valley NewsSCUBA FORUMDISCUSS THIS TOPIC - Dive in and have your say at Scuba Forum |
