May 6, 2022, was a clear weekend for competitive skydiving at a Hoke County, North Carolina parachute center. Skydivers came from around the region, including other states, to partake in the competition. Scott Trimble traveled from Ohio for the event. He had recently advanced from a student to a licensed parachuter.

The event weighted participants in each of three categories: speed, distance and accuracy. Participants were to partake in two jumps in each of those disciplines based on their classification as beginner, intermediate or professional.

Scott says, “I was a beginner, and the swoop-meet appealed to me because they offered free coaching.”

A Dive into Adventure

Scott felt a rush of adrenaline as he hopped onto the plane, rising higher and higher with his parachute gear strapped to his back. He took in the picturesque landscape, observing dozens of miles in each direction. Once it was his turn, he jumped from the plane and began to freefall as his body sped up in velocity. Scott could feel the wind tunnel overtake him but felt assured as this was a normal part of the experience. Within seconds, he pulled the parachute and waited for his legs to transition from horizontal to vertical. He was soaring freely through the air.

At last, it was time to land. This stage marked the final moments of the jump. But, suddenly, things took a turn.

A Crash Landing

Scott crashed violently onto the grass at a high speed. His body propelled into the air and fell again. His body then lifted once more and fell into a nearby pond.

“I was too low because I impacted the ground without even trying to correct,” recalls Scott. “Several things contributed to the crash: high winds, being new at the dropzone and trying to force a certain turn to land. I could’ve aborted the high performance landing, but I just tried to force it.”

Jeannie, a skydiving professional, pulled Scott out of the water, so he wouldn’t drown. Other skydivers descended the scene of the accident, calling 911 and doing what they could to help until emergency medical services (EMS) arrived. Within minutes, firefighters, ambulances, police and a helicopter cleared the way for Scott to be airlifted to WakeMed Raleigh Campus for emergent care at the Level 1 Trauma Center. They took turns administering CPR as Scott coded two times. Once he was stabilized, he was transported to the hospital.

“I heard how Jeannie saved me from drowning. Jeannie is in the top three of the pros in a male-dominated sport,” shares Scott. “She hung out and provided aid until EMS got there. I also heard that five different EMS workers helped get me into the helicopter. I can’t say thanks enough to everyone who helped!”

Exceptional Care at WakeMed Raleigh Campus

Upon arrival to WakeMed, Scott was taken to imaging where he received magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) scans. The video of his fall was also shown to the medical team. He was diagnosed with a fractured nose, a traumatic brain injury (with a 5 on the Glasgow Coma Scale), a fractured knee in his left leg and a compound fracture in the femur of his right leg with loss of the middle 12 centimeters of bone.

Since the team needed time for Scott’s brain to heal, he was placed in a medically-induced coma in the surgical trauma intensive care unit (STICU). His kidneys also shut down, and he was put on dialysis. Miraculously, on May 20, 2022, Scott awoke.

“From what I understand,” explains Scott, “the team was surprised when I woke up. They had me in a coma to give time for the swelling to go down on my brain. They didn’t expect me to wake up so soon.”

Throughout the timeframe, Scott’s mother, brother and girlfriend took turns visiting him, and WakeMed staff made arrangements for them to have convenient and comfortable accommodations in WakeMed Heart Center Inn.

While at WakeMed, Scott underwent nearly a dozen surgical procedures through Wake Orthopaedics as surgeons Timothy Harris, MD; Jonathan Chappell, MD; John Neal, MD; and Okechukwu Nwoko, MD and their teams worked continuously to repair his many fractured bones.

Tears welled in Scott’s eyes as he reflected on this traumatic time in his life. He was glad to be alive.

“It’s mind boggling. The same type of wreck occurred to a friend. She isn’t the same.”

With a heart bursting with gratitude, Scott goes on to share, “I was jokingly telling my girlfriend that there are some lingering side effects from the brain injury after the care I received at WakeMed. I’m a little more emotional. I cry a little more.”

Within a couple of days, Scott was moved to a step-down unit in 5C Medical-Surgical Intermediate Care at WakeMed Raleigh Campus just before his birthday on May 22, 2022. He remained in that unit until June 16, 2022. On that date, he was discharged home and received medical transportation back to Ohio with the help of WakeMed nurse navigator Missy O’Neal.

“I am thankful for every single member of staff in the STICU, including Megan, Quinn, Jenny, Elisa, Kevin, Cesilee, Maria, David, Mikael, TJ, Emily, Cassidy, Hailey, Jessi, Jess, Lauren and more. They provided me with excellent care. I especially got to know John, a WakeMed phlebotomist. He was one of the most down to earth dudes and would drop in to see me as he was making his rounds with other patients.

“By the time I got to 5C Medical-Surgical Intermediate Care, I was a little grouchy and ready to go home, so I thank that care team for putting up with me. And, I gotta say, I’ve heard a lot of negative talk about hospital food. Let me tell you, the chefs at WakeMed can cook. That food was good and was the highlight of my stay. It gave me something to enjoy each day.”

A Return to Skydiving and a Visit with the WakeMed STICU Team

Today, Scott is doing much better, having undergone his most recent major surgery in Ohio in January 2023. Eventually, he will need another surgical procedure on his left knee. He now looks forward to getting back into skydiving.

“I’m feeling good. It took a while to get a good bend in my right leg, but it’s a lot better now. I’d like to shout out the team of providers in Cincinnati who fixed my right leg. Their surgery team was on point! I’m ready to skydive again.”

On March 22, 2023, Scott drove from Ohio to North Carolina to thank the many providers who helped him at WakeMed, and, in particular, the STICU team. He provided a dinner meal and honored them for their expert care during the most difficult health journey of his life.

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Raleigh Campus is WakeMed’s flagship facility and leading provider of advanced health care services. Since its founding in 1961, the WakeMed Raleigh Campus has been a leader in offering one-of-a-kind services and the latest technology with an outstanding commitment to care and caring.

About the WakeMed Heart Center Inn

Family members of WakeMed patients who are currently receiving care on a nursing unit within the WakeMed Raleigh Campus hospital are eligible to stay at the Inn. The Inn’s close location to patient rooms provides ease and comfortable rest during an anxious time.

Our guest rooms are furnished and equipped to make your stay comfortable and include all the amenities of a commercial hotel.

About WakeMed Imaging Services

WakeMed Imaging Services is a full-service imaging department offering advanced technology, convenient access and prompt testing and results. As professionals who have a true passion for care and caring, we focus on providing excellent, individualized service to each patient. Additionally, we have been designated a Diagnostic Imaging Center of Excellence by the American College of Radiology, one of the largest and most influential medical associations in the United States.

About WakeMed Level 1 Trauma Center

WakeMed features the only Level 1 Trauma Center in Wake County. Our orthopaedic trauma surgeons are the only ones in Wake County, and they bring decades of experience to treat serious skeletal injuries to the body, face, and limbs for both adult and children.

And WakeMed’s comprehensive critical care services and rehab hospital round out the continuum of trauma care. From injury to rehab, WakeMed offers the best orthopaedic surgeons, trauma nurses, emergency department physicians, critical care specialists and rehabilitation services.

About Wake Orthopaedics

For 20 years, Wake Orthopaedics has been serving the Triangle community with comprehensive orthopaedic care to help their patients regain their mobility and restore their quality of life. With specialties and expertise in conditions of the bones, muscles and joints, our team of board-certified and fellowship-trained specialists utilize progressive treatments and state-of-the-art technology to care for everything from hip fractures to ACL injuries to arthritis. In addition to traditional orthopaedic services, Wake Orthopaedics provides trauma services, rehabilitation services and care for pediatric injuries.

About the WakeMed STICU

At WakeMed, we are the specialists in caring for patients who have had a traumatic injury or a complex surgical procedure. Patients with a traumatic injury often undergo surgery related to their accident and need our highest level of intensive care.

Staffed by some of the most experienced nurses and medical specialists, our Surgical Trauma Intensive Care Unit (STICU) is outfitted with advanced monitoring equipment so that patients with severe injuries or recovering from a difficult surgery have access to one of the region’s finest intensive care units.