Marblehead Student Injured Overseas Returns to Boston

Update: The dodgeball tournament mentioned at the end of this article has been postponed due to low response. Organizers hope to hold the event later this summer.

The community that rallied around Marblehead High School senior Ben Farrar while he was in a French hospital can now direct that energy toward the patient much closer to home.

Farrar was transferred to Massachusetts General Hospital late last week from the Nice, France, hospital where he’s been treated since sustaining a severe spinal cord injury in a diving accident April 19 while on a school trip in Cannes.

Since his accident, Farrar has battled to recover enough strength and stability to be transferred to MGH where he will continue to recuperate. His journey, and that of his family who has been by his side, has been documented via the Facebook page Ben Farrar’s Status.

“Although we’ve said it before, I believe saying it again is only appropriate … We are so happy to all be HOME!” reads a June 4 post on that status page. “Marblehead is in our hearts. Boston is in our hearts. You are all in our hearts!”

According to the status page, Farrar’s flight home began last Wednesday evening, June 3. After stops in London, Iceland and Newfoundland, Farrar arrived in Boston at about 2 a.m. Thursday.

Farrar returned to the states just in time to watch his classmates graduate on Sunday, June 7. While he couldn’t attend the ceremony, Farrar did don a graduation cap and watch the proceedings from his hospital room as his friend Ty Ulrich accepted a diploma on his behalf, according to the status page.

Rick Farrar, Ben’s uncle, told The Salem News, that the public’s support of his nephew has been overwhelmingly kind and a significant source of strength for the family.

Numerous fundraisers and events have been held in Farrar’s name since his accident, which rendered Farrar paralyzed and caused him to inhale dangerous amounts of sea water before he was pulled from the water.

As of Thursday morning, a GoFundMe page dedicated to Farrar had raised more than $39,000 toward a $75,000 goal that will help the family pay for medical care and the travel costs incurred while Farrar was hospitalized in France.

>>>Editor’s note: This event has been postponed: Coming up, a dodge ball tournament fundraiser on Friday, June 12, is open to all high school students. Participants can create a team of six players (team themes and costumes are welcome), sign up to be added to a team, or just come watch the tournament. It costs $5 to play and $3 to watch. Tickets can be purchased at the YMCA Lynch/van Otterloo front desk. The tournament will take place at the YMCA.

Photo: Contributed