La Costa del Golfo -- The Wreck

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The Wreck

     On February 25, 2001, while driving back from the Sweetwater Kayaking Symposium in Tampa Bay, Larry Koenig and his wife, Janell, experienced a life changing event.
     Their car ran out of gas on I-10 near Tallahassee, Florida and they commenced the short walk to the next exit. A Good Samaritan in a small pick-up truck became concerned when he saw the roadside car with kayak atop so stopped and offered them a ride to get gas. Janell sat on a pile of gear in the cab of the truck but was unable to attach her seatbelt because the seat was too full. Larry, unable to sit in the crowded cab, rode in the bed of the truck. As the driver, returning with gas, slowed upon reaching their car they were struck at interstate speed by a following car whose driver apparently didn't recognize the pickup was stopping. The truck was pushed into Larry's parked car then flipped over and landed at the bottom of a ravine. Janell and the pickup driver remained in the cab and were mildly injured but Larry was catapulted from the bed of the truck, struck the oncoming car and landed, unconscious, beside the shoulder of the interstate. (See photos below of vehicles involved in the accident.)
     His next nine days were spent in the neurosurgical ICU at Tallahassee Memorial Medical Center. The first three days were especially critical. He'd broken 15 bones including both forearm bones on the right, the right arm bone, clavicle, scapula, and a host of ribs. The right lung collapsed and his brain was seriously bumped. It was a very trying time for Janell who remained by his side throughout. Larry, on the other hand, has no recollection of that hospital stay. He remained confused, thinking the hospital bed was a kayak and that the hardware protruding from his forearm was an implanted safety device he could latch on to with a carabiner when rescuing swimming paddlers.
     On the fourth day it was felt that his lung and brain had stabilized enough to permit surgical repair of his arm and forearm. An external fixator was placed on the forearm and a titanium pin through the upper arm bone. When, on day nine, the chest tube finally quit draining the blood and air from his punctured lung, a fixed wing ambulance flew them back to the Baton Rouge General Hospital for more evaluation and healing. While there for the next 5 days he slowly came to understand the extent of his injuries and seemed, surprisingly, to fully recover his mental function.
     After sixteen days in hospitals he was ready to be home. Larry continued to heal in the comfort of his home supported tremendously by family and friends. As for Janell, she has been one tough and caring lady and Larry believes his current health is due largely to her love and perseverance. Physical therapy has become his life.
     Only eleven months from the time of the accident to the proposed start of the "La Costa Del Golfo Expedition." Will Larry ever be able to paddle again and even consider the almost four thousand miles around the Gulf of Mexico? This is the question going through the minds of their supporters. At this time he is healing at such an amazing rate of speed that anything is possible.
     Larry and Arthur have been in constant contact. Time will tell the actual date of departure of "La Costa Del Golfo". Everyone's main concern and enlightenment is seeing Larry improve on a daily basis.
     Arthur is continuing to prepare for the expedition as scheduled. In his heart the main concern is Larry's well being and continued recovery. Larry and Arthur will decide in August on a new departure date of "La Costa Del Golfo". By August 2001 it will have been six months from the time of Larry's accident. The rate of Larry's recovery at that time should allow the team to make a wise decision of a new departure date.
     Larry and Janell, our prayers are with the both of you.
     We are looking forward to his return from this adventure; it will be an interesting story.

By September 2001 it was clear that Larry was recovering at an amazing rate and that to postpone the commencement of the expedition by one year would be enough time for healing. That decision proved to be right and he is now well, motivated more than ever, and ready again to circumnavigate the Gulf of Mexico.

"By September 2001 it was clear that Larry was recovering at an amazing rate and that to postpone the commencement of the expedition by one year would be enough time for healing. That decision proved to be right and he is now well, motivated more than ever, and ready again to circumnavigate the Gulf of Mexico"