UMMC: Men injured on river improving | News

JACKSON, MS (WLBT) - A University of Mississippi Medical Center spokesperson said Wednesday afternoon two Pike County men who were seriously injured in separate incidents over the holiday weekend are improving.

Zachary Alexander and Justin Howell were injured about 24 hours apart on the Bogue Chitto River.

As of 2:40 p.m. Wednesday, UMMC listed Alexander in good condition and Howell in fair condition.

Pike County Sheriff Mark Shepherd said Alexander was on a floating trip Monday with friends and attempted to do a flip from the river bank and landed on his head. Alexander was airlifted to University of Mississippi Medical Center with serious injuries.

Sunday, Howell, 19, suffered a spinal cord injury after diving in the river. He was also airlifted to UMMC and is paralyzed, Shepherd said.

The sheriff said alcohol was not a factor in either of these incidents.

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