Boating accident survivor reunites with lifesaver

MELBOURNE, Fla. – On Saturday, 16-year-old Nicolle Colsant was allowed to hug a member of the rescue flight crew who saved her life after a boating accident. “It’s just a great honor to have such happy people save me because I almost died,” she said.

In March, Colsant and her boyfriend were boating near Captain Hiram’s in Sebastian. Nicolle was thrown from the boat and hit in the head by the propeller. “We hit like a wrong wake, and me and him flew out, and the boat was still moving in the water next to me, and it hit my head, and then I guess I passed out,” she said.

Her 17-year-old friend and other boaters rushed her to shore, where she was picked up by a fire rescue crew. Witnesses received video of first responders rushing to help. They said it was hard to watch. “Knowing that they were just out there enjoying the day and just having fun being young and something like that will change your life in an instant,” said witness Rebecca Rigaud.

Colsant was flown to a trauma center with life-threatening injuries. Now, almost six weeks later, she was able to meet with the flight crew again and show her gratitude. “It’s just important for me to get to know them, thank them and let them know they did a good job,” she said.

Jo Folsom, a Health First Flight nurse, said it was great to see the impact they had on the survivors’ lives. “This is something very special. We don’t normally get to see this side of it. They may have a good outcome, but it’s not every day that you get to meet them, hug them and actually see how well they’re doing.” “