Brunswick teen recalls near-fatal ATV accident
WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — One of two teenagers who were left in critical condition after an accident involving an all terrain vehicle is now speaking out.
WWAY’s Matt Bennett met him at New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington where he is still recovering.
19-year-old Alex Tedder lost the lower part of his leg during the accident, but his attitude is about as positive as it gets.
“At least I still got my life,” Alex said. “And I could’ve died, because that was a terrible accident.”
The accident happened back on November 1. Alex and his friend 17-year-old Cameron Ludlum were riding an ATV in Supply when they were hit by a car on Holden Beach Road.
Alex says he doesn’t remember the accident or how they ended up in the road.
“I don’t remember the accident at all. I don’t. The last thing I remember is eating lunch.”
Alex and Cameron had to be airlifted to New Hanover Regional Medical Center. Alex says he woke up in the hospital terrified that he was paralyzed.
“Tubes down my throat, can’t talk, having to write on a white board. It was terrifying.”
As Alex’s family huddled around him, he slowly started to come out of his fog. But, then he started to fear the worst.
“I asked if I was paralyzed because I couldn’t feel anything,” he said. “I was too doped up from medication. Probably one of the most terrifying events of my life.”
Besides losing his memory, he also learned he lost the lower part of his leg. He was also worried about his best friend.
“First, I was upset. I felt like I had disappointed my friend’s family and hurt him really bad,” Alex said. “Cause that’s my best friend. I just felt sick to my stomach.”
Cameron’s mom, Brandy Ludlum, says her son is still in the ICU and is now breathing on his own and speaking.
Cameron has undergone multiple surgeries to fix internal injuries and broken bones, and has more scheduled this week to fix a broken pelvis.
Doctors say there’s a 50-50 chance he too could lose his leg. Meanwhile, Alex is scheduled to be released on Monday.
“I’m still going to come and check on my friend,” he said.
Both boys have relied on their loved ones and their faith to keep them going.
“Everybody in my family, friends, girlfriend, people I haven’t seen in years showed up,” Alex said. “People I’ve never seen showed up. The support group was so big, it was amazing. And it just helped me push through all of it. Them and God helped me push through all of it.”
Alex says his physical therapy is going well and he is expected to be released from the hospital on Monday. He says he should be walking again once he gets a prosthetic leg in late December or early January.
Leave a Reply