'Inspirational' lifeguard, 19, suffers horror spinal injury on duty

10 July 2023 , 16:11

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Elizabeth Lovat, A lifeguard at Huntington beach suffered a spinal injury whilst performing her duties on Monday (Image: Iona University Athletics)

An "inspirational" lifeguard has been left hospitalised after she suffered a horrific spinal injury while on duty at a California beach.

Elizabeth Lovat was on summer break from college, working as a lifeguard in Huntington Beach, California, when she suffered a "spinal injury while performing her duties," according to the city.

There is little information about exactly what happened to cause the spinal injury. In a statement, the City of Huntington Beach said: "On Monday, July 3, one of our Huntington Beach lifeguards, Elizabeth Lovat, sustained a spinal injury while performing her duties.

"She was transported to a local area hospital where she remains in stable but serious condition. Our priority at this time is to provide support for Elizabeth and her family while she recovers."

After her recovery, Elizabeth will continue as a senior studying speech pathology (The Lizzie Fund)

Authorities have reportedly said that while she was performing her duties, Elizabeth was not actively engaged in a rescue when the accident happened, though they have yet to provide more details on exactly what happened or what the accident was.

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A donation page has been set up to help residents of the city to support the young woman. A top athlete, Elizabeth was recognised as an All-American Athlete and has won numerous athletic awards.

The water polo star graduated with honours from Huntington Beach High School and later left California to go to college in New York, where she played Division 1 Women's water polo for Iona College, according to the fire outreach foundation. After her recovery, she will continue as a senior studying speech pathology.

The Huntington Beach Fire Outreach Foundation said: "Elizabeth has a passion for helping others and has learned and used her communication skills with American Sign Language to help her community, which has in turn shaped her career and educational goals.

"She knows what it takes to overcome life's most challenging setbacks and persevere. Her dad taught her "not to be afraid of failure" and her attitude has inspired those around her."

Elizabeth was working as a lifeguard in Huntington Beach when she suffered the injury (Getty Images)

The California Surf Lifesaving Association, a nonprofit promoting beach safety awareness, says most spinal injuries are "associated with diving head first and hitting the bottom." The nonprofit says the injuries can "have severe lifelong consequences for the victim, parents, friends and even rescuers."

Elizabeth was a standout water polo player while at high school before going on to join the team when she went to Iona University. As a junior, she played 23 or the team's 31 games in the 2022-23 season, finishing with 10 goals on 16 shots. But it's not just Elizabeth that's the aquatic one in her family.

Her brother John was a star player at Huntington Beach High, a member of the 2012 Golden West College men's water polos state championship team and a player at UC San Diego. Elizabeth's sister Allison was also a long-term lifeguard, having participated in an exchange programme in New Zealand.

Fiona Leishman