What started as a fun summer escape quickly became a terrifying emergency for 19-year-old Aiden Sloan.
On a sunny afternoon at Hampton Beach, Sloan and his cousins were simply looking to beat the heat—until a dive into the waves went horribly wrong.
A Split-Second Dive Changes Everything
Aiden, who works as a chef in Nashua, was enjoying the ocean like any teen would, diving through the waves with his cousins.
But no one saw the sandbar hidden beneath the water.
When he dove, Aiden hit it head-on, instantly breaking his neck and losing all control of his limbs.
“He hit the sandbar head-on. It could’ve happened to anyone,” said his mother, Melina Burton, who spoke to NBC10 Boston.
“He stopped breathing. His body just went limp.”
Quick Thinking Saves a Life
Thankfully, Aiden’s cousins, Michael Henry and Gabriel Ruiz, were nearby and jumped into action.
They rushed into the water and dragged him back to the beach. The sight was devastating.
“He wasn’t moving at all. It felt like we were carrying a dead body,” Gabriel recalled. Michael added, “His eyes were bulging. It was terrifying.”
Their quick thinking may have saved Aiden’s life.
Grateful Mother, Devastated Family
Now in intensive care, Aiden is dealing with the severity of his injuries—a bruised spine, a broken neck, and a concussion.
He can’t move his right leg, lift his arms, or even clench his hands.
He’s managed slight toe movement on one foot, but his mobility is severely compromised.
Recalling what her son told her, Burton shared, “He said, ‘Mom, I could see the top of the water, but my arms and legs wouldn’t work.
I couldn’t swim to the surface.’ It’s heartbreaking.”
Despite the immense pain and fear, she’s overwhelmed with gratitude for the cousins who rescued him. “Michael pulled him out of the water.
I hugged him and said, ‘I’ll forever be thankful—you saved my son.’”
Not a Reckless Act, Just a Freak Accident
Michael McMahon, Hampton Beach’s fire chief, weighed in on the tragedy.
“This wasn’t kids being reckless,” he said. “I’ve dived into waves just like that.
It was an accident—just an unfortunate one.”
He added that while such incidents don’t happen often, they’re not unheard of.
“This wasn’t about drugs or alcohol. This was just a young guy enjoying the beach like the rest of us.”
Recovering Day by Day in Hospital
Burton has been updating friends and supporters through a GoFundMe page set up to help cover Aiden’s medical expenses. So far, over $37,000 has been raised.
Aiden has begun some physical therapy, but he’s also been dealing with severe nightmares—often reliving the sensation of drowning.
Doctors have prescribed medication to help manage his anxiety.
Despite everything, he’s trying to stay positive.
“He’s frustrated just lying there,” his mother wrote, “but he’s finding joy in small comforts—orange juice, ice cream, Italian ice.”
Life on Hold for a Young Chef
Aiden is unable to return to his job at Noodle Bar, a restaurant inside Nashua’s casino.
For now, every ounce of focus is on recovery—and figuring out what life looks like from here.
His mother, who is raising him on her own, is trying to stay strong.
The funds raised are helping them through the worst of it, but the emotional toll has been immense.
A Reminder of the Hidden Dangers of the Ocean
This tragic accident also highlights the hidden dangers of sandbars—those unpredictable underwater ridges that shift constantly.
Experts urge beachgoers to be especially cautious, as these shallow spots can cause waves to break suddenly and make diving risky.
Whether you’re swimming, surfing, or just playing in the waves, officials say it’s vital to stay aware of the changing underwater landscape.
