Havasu Teen Rescues Injured Fellow IJSBA racer


1

“If it wasn’t for Kole, I wouldn’t be here today,” Michael Scornaienchi told Havasu News from his hospital bed. “He saved my life.”

Scornaienchi was practicing for the upcoming IJSBA World Finals at Body Beach when his stand-up bucked, ejecting Scornaienchi over the handlebars about 60 miles per hour, landing on his head and upper-back. Almost immediately, he lost sensation in his limbs and struggled to float. “After managing to roll from his side to his back, the 55-year-old said he felt himself going underwater and thought he was going to drown,” wrote the article.

“About 20 feet away,” it continues, “Kole Cramer, a freshman at Lake Havasu High School, saw the accident take place and rushed to Scornaienchi’s aid. After using the sit-down PWC to reach Scornaienchi, Kole jumped in, picked up the 55-year-old’s head above water and stayed with him until help arrived.” Kole was onsite the same day by sheer coincidence, Amy Cramer, Kole’s mother, said. “Kole’s father Lance was fixing a friend’s personal watercraft and Kole decided to take it on a test drive. That was when he saw Scornaienchi fly off his PWC and hurried to help.”

Thankfully, 55-year-old Scornaienchi – who is currently at Havasu Regional Medical Center – has regained feeling in his legs and minimal feeling in his arms, and is continuing to improve. Although unable to compete as planned, Scornaienchi wishes to watch Kole, 14, who qualified for his third consecutive IJSBA World Finals in the Junior 13-15 Lites, Amateur Ski Lites and Amateur Ski Mod races.

Image courtesy of Havasunews.com

Share this post

Kevin Shaw

Editor-in-Chief – kevin.shaw@shawgroupmedia.com Kevin Shaw is a decade-long powersports and automotive journalist whose love for things that go too fast has led him to launching The Watercraft Journal. Almost always found with stained hands and dirt under his fingernails, Kevin has an eye for the technical while keeping a eye out for beautiful photography and a great story.

No comments

Add yours

No Thanks