Rough Surf Nearly Paralyzes Man
Michael Feron has a message: Don't go in the rough waters."/>
NBCPhiladelphia, Claudia Rivero and Bruce Ryan
Injured body surfer Michael Feron has a message: Don't go in the rough waters.
An injured body surfer has a message: Don't go in the rough waters.
Powerful rip currents produced by Hurricane Earl could create a very dangerous situation for surfers and swimmers along area shorelines this Labor Day weekend.
Recent injuries and rescues from heavy surf immediately caught Michael Feron’s attention. Body surfing nearly left Feron paralyzed during a trip to Ocean City last summer.
"I caught the first wave, and to be honest I don't know what happened. If I was twisted around, all I know is I was thrown to the bottom of the ocean on the top of my head," said Feron
The pain in his right arm became so severe Michael’s mom took him to the hospital, where X-rays revealed he had a broken neck.
Michael underwent an eight-hour surgery at AtlantiCare in Atlantic City the next day. Doctors' used part of his left hipbone to reconstruct broken vertebrae.
Feron was back in grad school at Villanova just three weeks after his surgery. But the whole experience left him wanting to make sure it doesn’t happen to others.
"I won't do it again and I would advise people to do the same in the future," he said.
Doctors who treated Feron said seven other people received the same injury last summer. All of seven of them were paralyzed.
Posted Thursday, Sep 2, 2010 - 12:05 AM EST
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