Former Olympic Swimmer Amy Van Dyken-Rouen Severs Spine in ATV Accident
Source: Bleacher Report
Former Olympic swimming champion Amy Van Dyken-Rouen is recovering following surgery to stabilize her spine after it was severed during an all-terrain vehicle accident in Scottsdale, Arizona, on Friday, according to Jeff Metcalfe of azcentral.com.
The 41-year-old six-time Olympic gold medalist told emergency personnel she had no feeling in her legs or toes, per The Associated Press, which reported that she severed her spine (via ESPN.com). Fortunately, she is said to be in good condition despite the seriousness of her injury and the circumstances of the accident.
According to a letter from the Van Dyken-Rouen families, she severed her spine at the T11 vertebrae, which came just a few millimeters from potentially rupturing her aorta.
The injury occurred when Van Dyken-Rouen struck a curb while riding the ATV in a parking lot outside of a restaurant. The impact sent her over a five- to seven-foot drop-off, according to a police report, and she was not wearing a helmet at the time.... MORE
Read more: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2091429-former-olympic-swimmer-amy-van-dyken-rouen-severes-spine-in-atv-accident?utm_source=cnn.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=editorial&hpt=hp_t2
sakabatou
(42,152 posts)JI7
(89,249 posts)horrible
Third Doctor
(1,574 posts)theHandpuppet
(19,964 posts)ATV + no helmet = tragedy waiting to happen.
RobinA
(9,893 posts)but I wonder if a helmet would even have made a difference. Wasn't Christopher Reeve wearing a helmet?
theHandpuppet
(19,964 posts)I think the sheer number of ATV accidents would spur anyone to take every possible precaution.
http://www.atvsafety.gov/stats.html
S_B_Jackson
(906 posts)In another story they interviewed her husband and he said he'd just changed the throttle from a button to a twist throttle - she may have not intended to take off.
Very sad.
Rhinodawg
(2,219 posts)speechless
dipsydoodle
(42,239 posts)I can only wish her well.
marions ghost
(19,841 posts)it's not surprising. I have seen some crazy stuff.
KittyWampus
(55,894 posts)dangerous. Gas guzzling toys for idiots.
I should probably apologize for not posting something sympathetic for this young woman.
However, you throw a ball in the air, it lands.
You waste time/energy on an ATV you take your chances with serious injuries.
leftyladyfrommo
(18,868 posts)But I agree with you. ATVs are just so dangerous. And they are hideously destructive to the environment.