A professional surfer named Makai McNamara was surfing at Banzai Pipeline in Hawaii when a wave wiped him out. Reportedly, he fell head-first into a reef, leaving him unconscious. McNamara was transferred to a local hospital and had to be put in an induced coma as a result of his injuries.
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The incident took place on Sunday, February 22, according to Surfer. McNamara was surfing alongside his best friend, Eli Olson, who saw McNamara being wiped out by a wave and hitting his head on a reef, knocking him unconscious. He was among the first to rush toward McNamara.
"Makai is actually one of the best out there, he's so talented," Olson told the outlet. "But it was just a bad wave, kind of a freak accident, and he went head first into the reef."
Olson revealed that Makai McNamara was underwater for about two minutes before he got to him. "First thing, I just wanted to like keep his head above water so he didn't take more water in," Olson said. "I gave him a couple of breaths, tried to give him a couple of compressions."
While Olson was giving him the compressions, they were continuously being struck by waves. When lifeguards began administering CPR, McNamara started coughing up water. Olson called that a "combative state," meaning that McNamara's body was "fighting for its life."
"It's heavy, especially when it's one of your best friends, seeing them, like lifeless and purple and not breathing," Olson added.
Once conscious, Makai McNamara was rushed to a local hospital. Doctors put him in an induced coma to allow his body to heal.
Makai's Father Speaks Out
Makai's father, Liam McNamara, issued an update two days after his son's accident took place. Liam thanked all the support his son has been receiving and asked for prayers.
"It's been 24 hours since the incident and he's on his road to recovery," Liam said. "He feels your energy, he feels your love, he feels your positive vibes and we appreciate each and every one of you for your support."
Liam McNamara thanked everyone who helped, including the lifeguards and his best friend, Eli Olson. According to Liam, Makai was to spend the next two days in the hospital. He describes his son as a "strong young man."
