Teen Injured in Diving Accident at Hampton Beach

A teenager is currently in intensive care following a serious diving accident in Hampton Beach, New Hampshire, on Monday afternoon. Nineteen-year-old Aiden Sloan was enjoying a day in the water with his cousin when the incident occurred.

“He was jumping into the waves, just like I did countless times before. I think he misjudged how shallow it was,” shared Hampton Beach Fire Chief Michael McMahon.

Sloan’s mother, Melina Burton, echoed these sentiments as she recounted the harrowing experience of learning about her son’s injury.

“They were playing around in the waves,” Burton described. “There was an unexpected sandbar, and he went right into it.” She recounted a moment of panic when her son’s cousin realized something was terribly wrong and pulled Aiden to shore, desperately trying to revive him.

“He didn’t seem to move at all,” one of Sloan’s cousins said in an interview. “It felt like we were carrying a lifeless body.”

Burton expressed immense gratitude towards her son’s cousin, acknowledging that without him, Aiden might not have survived.

McMahon stated that while such accidents aren’t frequent, they do happen. “It’s not something we see regularly, but it’s heartbreaking,” he remarked. He contrasted this incident with others, noting that sometimes, reckless behavior involving drugs and alcohol is involved, but that was not the case here.

A fundraising page has been set up to assist with Aiden’s medical expenses. According to the page, he has suffered a broken neck and is currently unable to move his legs or hands, only able to move his arms at this time.

Burton mentioned that it is still too early to assess any permanent damage, but Aiden is showing signs of strength as he works towards recovery. The doctors have explained his injuries to him, though he initially struggled to grasp the full extent of what happened.

His employer, Greenleaf Milford, has rallied around him, pledging to donate a portion of sales to help with his medical costs. They expressed their support for Aiden, who has been a part of their team for years.

Burton is hopeful as Aiden remains hospitalized for the next few weeks before transitioning to a rehabilitation center. It’s a challenging journey, but she remains optimistic about his progress.

“The doctors keep assessing his capabilities,” she said, reflecting on Aiden’s emotional state as he processes everything. “He just wants to get better.”