MMA legend Tito Ortiz details terrifying boating accident, months of memory loss: 'I'm just lucky to be alive'
Now seven months removed from his accident, the UFC Hall of Famer is still dealing with neurological and physical trauma.
Seven months after a terrifying boating accident, UFC Hall of Famer Tito Ortiz is still grappling with memory loss and neurological issues. The incident occurred in mid-March when Ortiz was fishing on a calm afternoon with seven friends. Suddenly, the boat collided with something, and Ortiz found himself underwater. He woke up 15 feet deep, struggling to catch his breath and see the sun.
His friends managed to pull him out of the water and rushed him to safety. Ortiz experienced severe trauma, including a concussion and a bulged disc requiring surgery. He also struggled with memory loss, finding it difficult to remember events from before the accident. Ortiz believes the accident was caused by a malfunction in the autopilot feature of the boat's engine, Mercury Marine.
He is currently seeking legal action while continuing his recovery. Ortiz remains grateful to be alive, acknowledging the trauma he's endured and the challenges he's faced in regaining his conversation skills and overall well-being.
Written by urgent.news from Yahoo Sports's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.