North Carolina Wilmington head women’s basketball coach Nicole Woods nearly drowned earlier this month.
Woods and several members of her family were visiting Wrightsville Beach in North Carolina when disaster struck. Woods’ 8-year-old nephew was swept into the ocean by a powerful wave. The UNCW coach jumped in to save him.
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“After trying to get out for several minutes, we were both tired. When I saw the gentleman coming, I went under the water to push my nephew to the help because I knew he couldn’t get both of us,” Woods said. “And so me going under the water and pushing him up towards the help would make the decision for him — to save my nephew first. By then, it felt like a suction cup pulling me under, and that’s the last thing I remember.”
A nearby rescue crew pulled Woods and her nephew from the water. However, Woods wasn’t breathing and didn’t have a heartbeat. The team attempted five minutes of chest compressions before transitioning to an AED (automated external defibrillator) to shock her heart. Woods regained a pulse and was rushed to a nearby hospital and placed on a ventilator.
“I couldn’t talk, but I could communicate by writing words to my wife,” Woods said. “The doctor said I was able to breathe on my own when they took me off the ventilator. It was a miracle.”
“UNCW Athletics is aware of a water-related incident involving Women’s Basketball Head Coach Nicole Woods. Our thoughts are with Nicole and her family as she focuses on her recovery. Out of respect for her privacy, we will not have further comment at this time.
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“In the meantime, team operations will continue under the leadership of Associate Head Coach Cherie Lea,” UNCW Athletics said in a statement.
Woods reportedly did not suffer any cognitive impairments and is now recovering at home.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: UNCW women’s basketball coach nearly drowns trying to save nephew
