COLUMBIA, MO. -- Vincent Elrod, 16, of Atlanta, Missouri was close to death after a car accident on Highway 63.
The lucky teen is not only back on his feet, but he’s back on the basketball court.
On the morning of March 18, Vince was at death’s doorstep after a car accident near his northern Missouri home. Vince was taken by helicopter to University Hospital’s trauma center in Columbia. Dr. Stephen Barnes performed emergency surgery.
Just 4 months later, Vince and Dr. Barnes celebrated this teenager’s miraculous recovery by playing some “One on One” at Mizzou Arena.
Dr. Barnes said, “He wore me out. I lost 21 to 10 with someone who arrived at our trauma center with a predicted survival rate of 3 ½%. Vincent is a perfect example of when a trauma system and all of its parts work well together.”
Vince underwent 6 operations and spent more than 3 weeks in intensive care. Just 4 months later, Vince showed his admiration for his doctor’s abilities in the operating room and on the basketball court.
Vince said, “We were just playing “One on One”. He’s pretty good.”
Vince’s family members can’t believe Vince is this healthy again.
Vince’s mother Lili Elrod said, “I didn’t know if he was going to live. It was a good trauma unit. Dr. Barnes and his staff did amazing things to bring him back to me.”
Vince’s sister Chadra Elrod said, “It’s been a big shock and I really thought that I was losing my brother. To see him here is just beyond words.”
Vince still has some rehab ahead of him. That’s not stopping his plans to play on his high school basketball team once again this fall.
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