Accidents Take Tragic Toll
Two tragic auto accidents last Saturday have taken a heartbreaking toll on the swimming world.
Jason Nessel, 21, son of Ed and Eileen Nessel died instantly in a car crash in Florida. His sister, Lee, a former University of Miami swimmer was not with Jason at the time of the accident.
Ed and Eileen Nessel have been part of New Jersey and U.S. Masters Swimming for years. Ed, a frequent contributor to SWIM Magazine, was honored as U.S.M.S. “Coach of the Year” in 1999.
Those of us at SWIM Magazine and Swiminfo.com, friends and colleagues of the Nessels, send our most sincere and heartfelt condolences to the Nessels on their tragic loss.
It would mean a lot to Ed, Eileen and Lee to know they have the prayers and support of Masters and USA-S swimmers throughout the country. Please take a moment to let them know you are thinking of them, and that your prayers are with them. Their e-mail address is: ednessel@aol.com
For swimmers in the New Jersey area, a service for Jason will be held on Wednesday, March 8, at 11:00am at the Higgins Home for Funerals in North Plainfield, New Jersey.
In another accident on March 4, Canadian swim star Tara Sloan was critically injured in an accident near Calgary, Alberta. She reportedly is in a coma, having suffered major injuries to her head, lungs, ribs, shoulder and hand.
Tara is currently in the Intensive Care Unit at Foothills Hospital in Calgary (403-670-1110). Our prayers for a full and speedy recovery go out to Tara and her family.