Ridgeland’s Torrie Porter (41) tries to break away from Lafayette’s Austin Whitten (8) and Taylor Parris (88) in this file photo. LaFayette will host a benefit for Whitten, who was injured in a swimming accident.LaFAYETTE, Ga. – LaFayette High School’s Jack King Stadium will host one of its most important events tonight when this small-town, working-class community gets together to help the family of injured athlete Austin Whitten.
The rising sophomore three-sport athlete was injured in a swimming accident over the weekend and is currently paralyzed from the chest down. According to LaFayette basketball coach Tommy Swanson, the 6-foot-4, 230-pound Whitten is in the ICU ward at Erlanger Medical Center after undergoing a pair of surgeries.
“The doctors are waiting for the swelling to go down in the spinal chord before they can determine how severe the injury is,” Swanson said. “It’s awful … it really hits you in the gut when something like this happens to a kid like Austin. I mean, his life changed in an instant.”
Donations will be accepted at the benefit, which will begin at 6 p.m., to help offset medical bills. Area churches are invited to attend in place of their evening services and the event will be recorded for Whitten.
Swanson expects a huge turnout for Whitten, who does have some feeling in his arms and is, according to the coach, in good spirits.