A women’s basketball coach at UNC Wilmington has described herself as “lucky to be alive” after a harrowing incident where she was caught in a rip current while attempting to save her eight-year-old nephew.
Nicole Woods, who leads the Seahawks team, recounted the terrifying experience at Wrightsville Beach last week.
On 21 May, Ms Woods took her two children, along with her niece and nephew, both eight, to the beach. When her nephew was swept under by a wave in the Atlantic Ocean, she immediately jumped in to help.
However, the powerful current began dragging both of them further out to sea. The 41-year-old coach managed to push her nephew above the surface to ensure he could breathe before she herself lost consciousness.
A rescue team swiftly pulled both Ms Woods and her nephew to shore. Paramedics administered CPR to Ms Woods, subsequently using a defibrillator to revive her.
She spent at least 24 hours on a ventilator before regaining the ability to breathe independently.
“It was a miracle,” said Ms Woods, a strong swimmer, adding: “If this can happen to me, it can happen to anyone.”
Doctors have since confirmed she sustained no brain injuries and has been given a clean bill of health, now recovering at home.
Associate head coach Cherie Lea has temporarily taken over the day-to-day operations of the women’s basketball program.
