In 2008, veteran Brent Slough, a 42-year-old former Army Ranger from Texas, was severely injured. He was hit by a drunk driver while swimming on a holiday with his family in the Bahamas. The accident was dangerous enough. Slough was, at the time, about 20 feet from the shore, unaware of the other boat headed right toward him. His family embarked on a once-in-a-lifetime, ten-day trip to enjoy this tropical paradise. What started out as a family vacation soon turned into a nightmare.
While snorkeling, Slough described the moment of impact: “I’m about 20 feet from the shore, and suddenly, I feel something hit me, and it’s like, I feel a thump, thump.” Doctors had to immediately amputate the lower half of his legs due to the deep lacerations inflicted by the speedboat’s propeller. Doctors are surveying Slough for evidence of emerging or undetected infections. Even today, his injuries leave him at risk for life-threatening complications.
According to this site, Slough is back in a hospital recovering and is with family. His wife, Whitney Slough, expressed their primary focus: “Brent healing and getting out of [the intensive care unit] is our No. 1 priority. Then, I would argue, is really to achieve justice for the victims that were affected by whoever perpetrated this. The couple’s two young children, healthy physically, are dealing with the scars of trauma from an accident that almost cost them their father.
Though the damage done to him is serious, Brent still considers himself fortunate to be alive. “I love it,” he told his hospital bed with glee, “and I’m just so grateful to be alive. The Slough family had picked out this snorkeling excursion in hopes of making unforgettable memories together—unbeknownst to them was a world of danger just beyond their grasp. Brent noted that he was completely caught off guard by the boat’s proximity to shore: “You wouldn’t expect a boat to be that close to shore either, you know.”
As medical teams work to figure out his condition, one thing is clear – Brent’s spirit and determination are unmatched. Today, many wonder if the incident points to a larger boating safety issue in popular tourist attractions. Brent Slough’s story is a good example of how serious emergency situations can develop in even the most harmless recreational pursuits.
