August 2005
By JULIE WILLIAMS
Staff Writer
In an emergency, even seconds count. Several staff members at the Aquatic Center responded quickly when 4-year-old Charlie Ashton was injured at the pool during UNF’s Youth Sports & Fitness Camp in June.
“He tried to do a front flip off the side of the pool, landed smack on his back on the side of the pool and then fell into the water,” said Sharon Ashton, Charlie’s mom and UNF’s director of Media Relations and Events. Lifeguard Tyler Fenton immediately jumped in the pool and placed Charlie on a backboard to avoid any further injury to his back or neck. Sarah Lewis called UPD, Rachel Yankowski and Mallory Coulombe helped hold Charlie inline on the backboard, and Mike Schram helped Lewis clear the pool. “When I arrived at the pool I found Charlie surrounded by wonderful professionals who were calming him down and keeping him still until the ambulance could arrive,” Ashton said. “Considering Charlie was conscious and alert, it was quite a scary ordeal,” said Heather Kite, director of Aquatics. “Once he was safe, they focused on calming him down until EMS arrived to take over.” When the ambulance arrived, Charlie received “star” treatment from his fellow campmates. “As Charlie was being wheeled off to the ambulance, all the other children and UNF employees gave him a round of applause, just like an injured athlete being taken off the field,” Ashton said.
Fortunately Charlie didn’t sustain any serious injuries and he’s fine today. In July, all five employees involved received certificates recognizing their “winning teamwork.” Charlie and his mom also presented the group with a batch of homemade chocolate chip cookies. “It’s one thing to run a camp that fun for kids, but it’s another thing to run one that’s fun and safe as well,” Ashton said. “I can’t say enough about how thrilled I am.”
