Utah teen recovering after serious beach accident leaves him with broken neck

SALT LAKE CITY — A Utah teenager known for his love of lacrosse, family and service work is facing a long recovery after a beach accident left him with a broken neck.

Gunnar Olsen recently returned from a humanitarian trip to the Dominican Republic with HXP and was enjoying another summer adventure with friends when the accident happened.

"We went to the beach," Gunnar recalled from his room at Primary Children's Hospital. "I saw my friends start running into the ocean and they dove in. So I chased after them, jumped over the waves, like try to dive."

But the conditions had changed.

"The wave had already crashed," Gunnar said. "I broke my neck."

The accident occurred when Gunnar dove into the water and hit the sand beneath him. Moments after the impact, he found himself surrounded by rescue crews.

"The next thing I remember is coughing up water on the beach," he said. "There were a bunch of lifeguards all around me."

An urgent message

Back in Utah, Gunnar's parents were leaving a cancer treatment appointment for his father, Chad, who is battling stage 4 cancer, when they received a distressing text message.

"This is Christian. It's Gunnar. It's an emergency," Marni Olsen, his mother, recalled reading.

The message marked the beginning of an uncertain journey for the family. She said her son has always been active and fearless.

"He's a pretty aggressive kid on the field and the court," she said.

Still, nothing prepared them for an injury this severe.

'Stronger with Gunnar'

After the accident, Gunnar was transported back to Utah on a medical flight and admitted to Primary Children's Hospital.

Since then, family members, teammates and friends have rallied around him.

"I had no idea how many friends he had," his mom said. "They're amazing."

One of those friends is Oakley Peterson, who met Gunnar shortly after his family moved to Utah.

"My family moved here when I was in fifth grade, and he was the first kid I met," Peterson said. "He was my first friend, and we've hung out ever since."

Peterson said spending time with Gunnar has become one of the most meaningful ways to support him during recovery.

"The most valuable thing to him is just our time," he said. "Everybody coming down to see him, it's just really, really good. We're really thankful."

Friends have also created an Instagram page called "Stronger With Gunnar" to share updates, encourage prayers and help raise money for the family.

'One day at a time'

For now, the Olsen family is focused on recovery and remaining hopeful.

"Definitely would love full recovery," Marni Olsen said. "One day at a time."

Doctors have told the family it will take several months for swelling in Gunnar's spine to go down before they have a clearer picture of his long-term prognosis.

Despite the uncertainty, Gunnar has begun regaining movement in parts of his body, giving his family reason for optimism.

As they wait for answers, the Olsens said they are grateful for the outpouring of support from friends, family and the community.

"We're taking it one day at a time," Marni said. "And we're thankful for everyone standing with Gunnar."

Related topics