Scout Recovers from Injuries after Fallen Tree Accident
‘Go to Cincinnati Children’s. Don’t Go Anywhere Else’
Max Kramer was asleep during an overnight Boy Scout camp out in June 2017 when an ash tree crashed through his tent, falling on top of him. Rushed to Cincinnati Children’s, Max was treated for multiple injuries. Today he is fully recovered.
Beth Kramer knew something was wrong when her phone rang at 2:30 am. She was told her son, Max, had been injured while camping in rural Kentucky and was being transported for emergency care.
As she would learn, a tree had fallen diagonally across Max’s body, landing on his right side pelvis, abdomen and chest − about where a seat belt would go.
As a trauma nurse for the University of Cincinnati, Beth is well acquainted with trauma injuries.
“Knowing what I do for a living, I knew there was a good chance that by the time I got there he might not be alive,” she said.
But she also knew about Cincinnati Children’s designation as a Level 1 Trauma Center and knew that’s where Max needed to go.
“I knew it was very bad and very critical. And I remember the first thing that came out of my mouth was, ‘I want him to go to Cincinnati Children’s. Don’t go anywhere else,’ ” said Beth.
Emergency air lift was not available so Max was transported 40 miles via ambulance from the campsite in rural Boone County to Cincinnati. Beth and her husband, Mike, a firefighter, met him at Cincinnati Children’s.
“Cincinnati Children’s was the only place I wanted him to go,” said Beth. “I know what it takes to be a Level 1 Trauma Center. It takes the absolute best teamwork and the best medical care.”
Richard A. Falcone Jr., MD, MPH, director of Trauma Services, reiterates the importance of a team effort for both rare and commonplace injuries.
“Our team of providers – including nurses, respiratory therapists, paramedics, ER physicians, surgeons, intensivists, operating room staff, radiology and lab staff – all work collaboratively to ensure the best outcomes following an injury like Max’s,” said Falcone
“We admit nearly 2,000 injured children every year with injuries ranging from unusual events such as Max’s, to the more common falls, bike accidents, pedestrians struck, and motor vehicle collisions.”
Recalling the Accident, Counting Their Blessings
Thinking back on the day of the accident, Beth recalls all the details leading up to it and how one change here or there could’ve resulted in a different outcome.
For one, Max wasn’t supposed to sleep in the tent where the tree crashed. He switched at the last minute with another camper who has hemophilia, a rare disorder in which blood doesn't clot normally.
