It looked hopeless two weeks ago.
Twenty-year-old Sean Bender had massive injuries to his arm, neck, and head. A boat propeller gashed Bender as he was snorkeling for lobster in the Keys – he sank to the bottom, his father pulled him up from the sea floor, and the race was on to save his life.
“It was catastrophic, with his injuries,” said Sean’s mother, Jill Bender, at a news conference Friday.
“I want to call it a miracle, but I can’t take away what the doctors have done, they are the miracle workers,” added Sean’s dad, Steve Bender.
The Benders spoke at a news conference held at Jackson South Medical Center, where Sean was flown via air rescue on July 24. Swift action by Steve Bender, other bystanders, and first responders kept Sean alive to that point.
“I’m not gonna lie, it’s not easy, I have nightmares, I replay that moment, many, many times,” Steve …