HAMPTON
A 17-year-old volunteer firefighter has been paralyzed after diving into an above-ground pool at a friend's house Sunday and breaking her neck.
Caitlin Pettit, who graduated from Kecoughtan High School earlier this month, was swimming in the pool after helping a friend move, according to her aunt, Anne-Marie Loughran. Loughran is fire marshal for the city of Hampton.
According to Loughran Pettit was a volunteer firefighter and had hoped to make firefighting a career. Pettit's mother also works for the fire department as a health and safety officer.
Members of the Hampton Firefighters Union have set up a fund at SunTrust bank to help with medical care and other expenses. Donations can be made under the name Katherine Messier.
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Devastating
I can't imagine the grief and anguish the family of this young woman must be going through. Youth is innocence in the most basic of terms. You can't foresee this kind of miscalculation ever happening to someone you love in a million years. My heart goes out to all those affected.
I don't understand
how this happens over and over again. Despite that it is so publicized not to dive into shallow water. I guess young people think they are invincible. I worry about when my kids become teenagers. Such a tragedy.