The survivor of a boating accident in Brevard reunites with the pilot and paramedics who saved her life

MELBOURNE, Fla. – There was an emotional reunion Saturday between a 16-year-old girl and the first responders who rescued her after a boating accident.

According to Health First, Nicole Goslant of Sebastian injured her head and nearly drowned when the boat she was on crashed near Captain Hiram’s in March.

After weeks of rehab and recovery, Goslant was able to thank her heroes at the Health First First Flight Hangar at Melbourne Airport.

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“It meant a lot to me to know that such good people saved me,” the teenager said. “It’s just great to have the opportunity to meet her.”

Goslant also had a chance to get back into the helicopter, where pilot Chuck Mueller and paramedics Prudence Meads and Jo Folsom put Nicole on a ventilator and took her to the hospital.

“After inhaling a lot of water, we were concerned about your lungs and of course a possible head injury,” Folsom said.

Goslant told News 6’s James Sparvero that the accident and her recovery have given her a new appreciation for life.

“I used to always complain about things, but now I’m grateful to be here,” she said. “I have a different perspective on life now.”

And Goslant isn’t the only survivor who can thank her heroes.

Wednesday evening is Health First’s annual trauma survivor reunion.

This year at Holmes Regional Medical Center, at least 16 people who owe their lives to the hospital’s pilots, paramedics and many other employees will meet their heroes once again.