Former athlete paralyzed after weekend boating incident



SEATTLE -- A man landed in the hospital after a boating accident when he dove head first into shallow water. Doctors have told Brooks Abel’s family he may never walk again.

Through pictures, we get a glimpse of the story of a 6-foot-5 athlete, a former Kentwood High School and Central Washington University football player, a man friends and family call larger than life.

“He’s a big teddy bear and he takes care of all of us; he’s big brother,” said Daniel Kondikoff, a friend of Abel.

But Abel’s size and strength couldn’t protect him from what happened on Crescent Bar near Vantage on Sunday when friends say a day of fun turned tragic after Brooks dove head first into water more shallow than he anticipated.

Abel’s sister, Emily Alvey, said her brother is now at Harborview Medical Center, paralyzed from the chest down.

“There are no words,” said Alvey. “I have no explanation.”

Abel and his family aren’t fighting this battle alone. Dozens of friends from all over the world have already converged at Harborview Medical Center.

“Everyone is going to get him through this,” said Kondikoff.

And they say if anyone can get through this, it will be Brooks Abel.

“The doctors aren’t hopeful he’ll walk again,” said Alvey. “But if anybody can beat the odds, it’s him.”

The family believes Abel is alive today because his boat was next to one with EMTs on it, who helped resuscitate him and get him rushed to Harborview.