Woman experiences 'immediate paralysis' after jumping off boat in Choctawhatchee Bay

Northwest Florida Daily News/USA TODAY NETWORK
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OKALOOSA  ISLAND — A woman was paralyzed Sunday after jumping feet first from a pontoon boat in Choctawhatchee Bay.

First responders were called to bay for a medical emergency near the sea wall on Okaloosa Island, according to the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office.

First responders help pull a woman to shore on a large float Sunday after she was injured from jumping off a pontoon boat in Choctawhatchee Bay.
First responders help pull a woman to shore on a large float Sunday after she was injured from jumping off a pontoon boat in Choctawhatchee Bay.

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The woman reportedly experienced immediate paralysis to her lower extremities after jumping from the boat, which was anchored in very shallow water.

A Fort Walton Beach police officer, OCSO deputies and Okaloosa Island firefighters entered the water and pulled the woman to shore on a large float. She was conscious and alert at the time, according to the OCSO.

The victim was taken to an area hospital. Her condition was not known Monday morning.

This article originally appeared on Northwest Florida Daily News: Woman paralyzed after jumping off pontoon boat in Choctawhatchee Bay