Bethany Hamilton Appeals for Help After Nephew's Drowning Incident
Pro surfer Bethany Hamilton is urgently seeking assistance for her 3-year-old nephew, Andrew, who has been hospitalized after a drowning incidentб writes E! Online.
On October 12, Hamilton shared on Instagram that Andrew requires help from medical experts following his hospitalization. "HELP," she stated, posting a photo of Andrew helping with a surfboard. "My precious nephew was medivaced to Kapiolani in Oahu this morning after drowning last night. He still has a heartbeat and has fight in him."
Hamilton expressed her family's struggle, stating, "We are wrecked." She emphasized the importance of medical support: "I know how proper medical support can make or break someone’s chance of survival. We’re asking for help from anyone who might have information to give my nephew the best chance."
Bethany Hamilton is a mother of four and is well-known for surviving a shark attack in 2003, which resulted in the loss of her left arm. This experience inspired her memoir published in 2004 and the film "Soul Surfer" from 2011. She shared her plea on her eldest brother Noah Hamilton's Instagram.
Noah Hamilton also posted a message on Facebook with more details about the situation. "Join us in prayer for my brother’s youngest child Andrew, who was life-flighted to Oahu in the middle of the night," he wrote on October 12. "He’s 3.5 going on 5. He’s a strong, resilient kid and an amazing swimmer. He was found not breathing in shallow water in a bathtub. His vitals were sufficient for transport to Oahu."
In a follow-up on Instagram, Bethany informed her followers that the family contacted Dr. Paul Harch, who runs a hyperbaric oxygen therapy clinic in New Orleans. Dr. Harch has experience treating drowning injuries, as noted on his website.
On October 13, Bethany updated her post again: "Please pray for Andrew and all his loved ones," she commented. "Pray that we can do our best through this hard time. Much love."