Marine recruit paralyzed at Parris Island

PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. (AP) — The Marines are investigating an incident last month during basic training that left a 19-year-old recruit from Florida paralyzed.

A spokeswoman for the Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island told The Beaufort Gazette (http://bit.ly/vuCNIo ) that officials would not talk about exactly what happened when Pfc. Nick Battles was hurt Nov. 9 because it is still under investigation.

A blog set up by Battles’ family says the Tampa native collided with a fellow recruit on the last field day of basic training. The collision injured his spine, paralyzing Battles below his chest.

The family says Battles is rehabilitating in a Tampa hospital and was promoted to private first class while in the hospital.

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Information from: The Beaufort Gazette, http://www.beaufortgazette.com