Carmel High School girls basketball Coach Kevin Sweeney was seriously injured while vacationing in the Dominican Republic.
He fell headfirst into the sea floor when a wave crashed into him, breaking three vertebrae in his back and neck.
Supporters have started a GoFundMe page to help cover his medical bills, as it’s unclear if his insurance will cover care in a hospital outside of the U.S. He was expected to be medically evacuated by air Aug. 2 from the Dominican Republic to Ft. Lauderdale, which alone was estimated to cost $22,000.
The GoFundMe page raised more than $31,000 of its $75,000 goal in its first day. Visit the page at gofundme.com/kevin-sweeney039s-medical-expenses.
According to the GoFundMe page, Sweeney is experiencing numbness and tingling in his right arm and hand but otherwise has full movement.
Sweeney was hired as head coach of the CHS girls basketball team this spring. Previously he coached at Bishop Chatard High School and Lawrence North High School.
The Carmel resident is married to Brieann and has five sons.
This story will be updated.
