What was supposed to be a relaxing holiday turned into a nightmare for a Chicago mom who severed both her feet during a boating accident at the Playpen.
Lana Batochir, a mom-of-two, will have to get used to prosthetics as the accident left her with both feet amputated. The 34-year-old mom said that she thought she was going to die right there in the water when she could no longer paddle to safety.
Posting via GoFundMe to raise funds for her hospitalization, treatments and prosthetic legs, Batochir said that the accident "happened so fast." The mother said that a reckless boat driver reversed towards their raft and the boat's propeller cut through her feet, "destroying everything in its way."
Not far from her eyesight, she could see her husband looking at her in panic. He rushed towards her to help pull her up and save her from going under.
Officer Raul Echevarria, one of the first responders to the accident, saw that there was excessive blood on the boat as Batochir was not the only one who had injuries. A second victim also severed her arms.
Amputation, nerve surgery, and insurance
Aside from the amputation, doctors told the mother that she will need targeted muscle reinnervation (TMR) nerve surgery. Batochir said that her life completely changed in one instant due to the unfortunate incident.
The mother also said that one of her simple joys is dancing to music. She's going to face the reality of possibly never enjoying this anymore.
On top of her new medical challenges, the woman does not have any health insurance, per Block Club Chicago. Thus, she had to crowdfund her medical bills and seek donors online. To date, the fundraiser has reached $123,278 in just three days.
Batochir is still at the hospital, awaiting other medical procedures. Despite experiencing the worst, she said that she's still very lucky to be alive, to be able to hug and kiss her husband and kids.
The mom-of-two knows that she's facing a long journey ahead of her, with most of her time spent at the hospital.
"I will try my best to continue to have a full life and adjust to my new beginnings," the mom said.
Witnesses sought to shed light on the accident
Investigations are still ongoing with the Chicago Police Department, the U.S. Coast Guard and the Department of Natural Resources. As of press time, charges or citations have no yet been filed.
According to Daily Mail, the officers believe that the boat's captain was not drunk or under the influence during the accident. Yet the Coast Guard is hoping more people will come forward to share what they saw and help determine accountability. If the captain was indeed negligent, he could lose his license.
The Playpen in Chicago is a popular social site where boaters meet and hop on other boats. Unfortunately, the party scene can get very crowded and lead to "accidents and incidents," according to the locals.
Related Article: Horrified Family Discovers Children's Bodies Inside Suitcases in 'Storage Wars' Type Auction
