Ryan Buchanan, 17, is in critical condition after a sand tunnel that he and a friend were digging at Sunset State Beach collapsed on them.
Ryan Buchanan, 17, is in critical condition after a sand tunnel that he and a friend were digging at Sunset State Beach collapsed on them. Buchanan was transported to the Pediatric ICU of the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, where he is still unconscious.
The boy was part of a group of 50 teens and eight chaperons from Alamo’s Creekside Community Church that was visiting the beach on Monday. Some of the adults saw them digging the tunnel, but said that they were not aware of the dangers involved in the activity. The two boys were rescued by lifeguards and other beach visitors after the tunnel collapsed, and they were taken to the hospital. The other boy was released later on Monday.
Though rescuers attempted CPR on Buchanan, he apparently had sand lodged in his esophagus, impeding his breathing. It is still too early to determine the scope of brain damage, if any, resulting from the loss of oxygen to the brain.
Bill Wolcott, supervising ranger for Sunset State Beach, later noted that lifeguards frequently warn beach-goers about the danger of digging holes that deep. An investigation of the incident concluded that it was an “unfortunate accident.” Read more at the Santa Cruz Sentinel; get updates at the Caring Bridges website.
