In a tragic turn of events at a Frisco community pool, 13-year-old Semyon Williams Jr., affectionately known as SJ, sustained a severe spinal cord injury last Thursday. The accident occurred at the neighborhood pool in Old Orchard Park when SJ, in a desperate attempt to evade a wasp, dove into the pool’s shallow end, unaware of its depth.
Family members report that the young teen hit his head during the dive, rendering him unable to feel his arms, expressing to his friend, who thought SJ was only playing, “Help me! I can’t feel my arms, my legs, help me, call my mom.” The friend, who had jumped into the water alongside SJ, acted quickly, realizing the severity of the situation and turning the immobile teen over to prevent him from drowning.
The quick response of SJ’s friend likely saved his life, as he was unable to move and was inadvertently inhaling water. Bystanders at the scene contacted emergency services while a woman nearby comforted the injured youth until help arrived. SJ’s mother, Anya Camper, described the moment she received the urgent call, recalling her immediate panic and scream.
Following the accident, SJ was transported to Children’s Health in Dallas, where he underwent surgery on the same day. The injury was severe: two vertebrae in the cervical spine were fractured, both anteriorly and posteriorly, affecting the spinal canal that houses.
Source: NBC DFW