One Boating Accident, Countless Heroes: How A Community Saved This Teen At The Lake

LAKE OF THE OZARKS, Mo. — On the Friday afternoon before 4th of July, Devin Daly was enjoying Lake of the Ozarks like thousands of others. But when the 18-year-old was thrown from his personal watercraft, a chain of strangers came together to save his life.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported that when Devin jumped a large wake on a Yamaha WaveRunner near the 28 Mile Marker, he struck his head on the watercraft and was ejected. Devin was now in the water, with serious injuries.

Before his family even knew what happened, strangers were already working to save Devin's life. 

The first link in that chain was Jackson White, an eighth grader from Chesterfield. White had just joined Devin on his own personal watercraft and decided to tag along for a ride around the Lake. When the accident happened, he didn't freeze. He flagged down a passing boat for help.

The next link was David Young, who happened to be enjoying a leisurely ride on his Sea-Doo nearby.

"[Devin] was launched straight up in the air and landed 10 or so yards from his machine," Young recalled. "I looked over and noticed he was not moving. After racing over, I realized he was badly injured with a head wound and in total shock. I managed to pull him up on my PWC and called 911."

Young knew they should go to Miller's Landing, the closest public marina, where an ambulance could meet them.

Meanwhile, White had connected with another group of strangers—the Merryman family: Tonya, Austin and Bailey.

"My family was passing by and a young guy on a jet ski came towards us yelling a guy needed to go to the hospital," Tonya Merryman later told Kayla Daly, Devin's mother. "We rushed to the man that had your son on the back of his jet ski. My son jumped in and drove your son's [PWC] to Miller's Landing. When we got there, we gave him cold water, a towel, and my daughter was wiping the blood out of his mouth."

Everyone remained at the dock until first responders arrived. According to Young, Osage Beach Fire Protection District crews were there within about five minutes. "They quickly stabilized him and took him out on a stretcher," he said.

Tonya said the family also made sure Devin contacted his parents and the family he was visiting the Lake with before the ambulance left.

Meanwhile, Kayla Daly was at home packing while her husband, Robert, was at work when she received the call every parent fears. The next heroes were the medical professionals who kept her informed every step of the way.

One EMT, whose name she never learned, patiently answered questions during the ambulance ride and helped calm an understandably terrified mother.

At Lake Regional Hospital, doctors determined Devin's injuries required treatment at a Level I trauma center. Before he was airlifted to Columbia, emergency room nurse Jenn Godsy—who also serves on a flight crew—helped prepare the family for what was ahead.

"Devin was air-lifted to Columbia for further care," Daly said. "His flight team was amazing, and again one of them called me and explained the flight and transfer as soon as they got Devin to the proper care team."

Scans revealed a skull fracture, two brain bleeds, multiple facial fractures, teeth pushed into the gumline, and a severe head laceration shaped like a cross, Daly said.

"The ride to the hospital was terrifying," Daly said. "We prayed a lot, read from the Bible, cried, asked others for prayer, panicked then prayed again."

Then came the moment she'll never forget.

"A lot happened, but when I walked back there and the surgeon said, 'Your mom is here,' and Devin said, 'Hi Ma.' Those words from that voice broke me," she said.

Today, Devin is recovering at home on light duty.

Looking back, Daly says those strangers became heroes. Every person—from an eighth grader and passing boaters, to first responders, flight crews, and doctors—gave her son his best chance at a full recovery.

"My husband and I couldn't be more grateful for the part each one of these heroes played in our son's life that day," Daly said. "We thank God for them each and every day. I know without a doubt God listened and worked a miracle because the amount of recovery he did in 24 hours can only be explained as a miracle."