Narrative by (do not publish name) on 2014-08-13 (okay to publish): Severe head injury while upside down on the Fifth Slide of the Great Falls Fish Ladder. Multiple skull and facial fractures. Helicopter evacuation to hospital. (This accident may have already been reported — but I didn’t see it.) TEXT ATTACHMENTS Information from Paddle Prattle message board http://www.monocacyboard.org/mboard/msg/41201.html Accident in Fish ladder Submitted by Hector on 20/Jun/2014 Good evening, our beloved Tom McEwan had an accident today. Does somebody know to which hospital he was taken? How is he recovering? What happened? Re: Accident in Fish ladder – update 21/Jun/2014 Tom McEwan – sqrtbtr 20/Jun/2014 Submitted by sqrtbtr on 20/Jun/2014 in reply to Accident in Fish ladder posted by Hector on 20/Jun/2014 According to Liam and Jacob who were boating with Tom on the Fish Ladder, Tom hit his head on the 5th slide and swam through S-turn and Rocky while being chased by Gil Rocca. Gil finally managed to pull him onto the rocks at the water’s edge at the head of the island above Wet Bottom. Tom was apparently concussed on the fish ladder and was unable to help with his rescue. Liam and Jacob showed great composure in assisting with the rescue and kept a running dialogue with Tom in addition to monitoring his vitals until the helicopter arrived. I don’t know what hospital he is at, but I was told he was getting a CAT scan. My best to Tom and his family and I hope he is back on the river in no time. Robert Goo Re: Tom McEwan Submitted by Sarah on 21/Jun/2014 in reply to Tom McEwan posted by sqrtbtr on 20/Jun/2014 Robert, I understand you were also instrumental in assisting with getting Tom into the helicopter. Tom was fortunate to have a strong team there to help him. Best wishes for a full and speedy recover and lots of love to the McEwan family. They’ve had a terribly difficult week. Re: Re: Tom McEwan Submitted by Carrie on 21/Jun/2014 in reply to Re: Tom McEwan posted by Mothra on 20/Jun/2014 I believe he was taken to Suburban Hospital in Maryland as we asked the rescue personnel and that is what we were told. http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/highschools/great-falls-a-breeding-ground-for-top-level-competitive-kayakers-on-the-potomac-river/2014/07/03/320b45c4-fcf9-11e3-8176-f2c941cf35f1_story.html (last paragraph)