New details are emerging regarding an injured Salem man last night at Delaney Park, which took place during the park’s annual fireworks display and celebration.
Tyler Schocke, Salem, was taken by helicopter ambulance to University of Louisville Hospital after someone called 911 and reported a “possible drowning”.
According to social media posts from family, Schocke had broken his back, but has since been removed from a ventilator and has been moving his feet.
According to his grandmother, Joan Schocke, Tyler “dove into the water and broke his neck. It wasn’t deep enough for diving,” she said.
Schocke was in surfer nearly six hours.
He is in stable condition with limited abilities to move.
Neil Brewington, DNR Conservation Officer, said police responded to the 911 call at approximately 9:30 p.m. Saturday night during the park’s annual Fourth of July Fireworks event.
When officers and Washington County EMTs arrived at the scene, off-duty EMTs from Scott County were treating Schocke.
“It was called in as a possible drowning and then when we arrived on scene, he was out of the water and breathing,” said Brewington. “[Scott County EMTs] rendered some kind of aid. They did what they could do to keep him alive and breathing and flew him out.”
Brewington said the nature of injuries and how Schocke was injured is still under investigation.
“We are still investigating to find out what happened. It may be just a medical issue,” said Brewington.
