safety
‘Just a little too shallow’: Husband suffers catastrophic spinal cord injury in diving accident on July 4
By WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate)
· July 13, 2026
· 2 min read
FARGO, N.D. (KVLY/Gray News) — A Minnesota man is in the ICU after a diving accident at his family’s lake house on July 4 left him with a catastrophic spinal cord injury.Colin Bales, a physical therapist and Air National Guard member, was airlifted to Sanford Medical Center in Fargo, North Dakota...
Key takeaway (KVLY/Gray News) — A Minnesota man is in the ICU after a diving accident at his family’s lake house on July 4 left him with a catastrophic spinal cord injury.
Why this matters in The Nashville
The devastating diving accident that left Colin Bales with a catastrophic spinal cord injury serves as a stark reminder for Nashville residents to exercise caution when enjoying water activities at local lakes and rivers. As the city's residents often flock to nearby waterways to cool off during the summer months, it's crucial to be aware of the potential dangers that can come with swimming and diving in unfamiliar or shallow waters. The significant medical expenses that the Bales family is facing, estimated to be between $500,000 and $1 million, also highlights the importance of having adequate health insurance and financial planning in place. For Nashville families who enjoy water sports, this incident may prompt a re-evaluation of their own safety protocols and emergency preparedness measures, particularly when it comes to ensuring that their favorite swimming spots are safe for diving and other activities.
About this story
Original reporting by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . The Nashville surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 13, 2026 ·
Source: WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 2 min
Get more The Nashville stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering safety and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? FARGO, N.D. (KVLY/Gray News) — A Minnesota man is in the ICU after a diving accident at his family’s lake house on July 4 left him with a catastrophic spinal cord injury.Colin Bales, a physical therapist and Air National Guard member, was airlifted to Sanford Medical Center in Fargo, North Dakota...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 13, 2026 by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) and curated for The Nashville readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate). To learn more about how The Nashville selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Nashville, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More safety →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter