Family Seeks Justice After Dad Nearly Severed on Bahamas Vacation

A Family's Nightmare in the Bahamas

A North Texas father, Brent Slough, is still recovering in a Miami hospital after a tragic incident during a family vacation in the Bahamas. The 42-year-old former Army Ranger was nearly cut in half by a boat propeller while snorkeling with his wife and two daughters. His wife, Whitney Slough, is urging Bahamian authorities to take action against those responsible for the accident.

Brent underwent another surgery last week to address deep wounds that could not be sutured. Whitney said he is doing okay after the procedure and that the family is now working on a plan to transfer him back to Dallas. However, the emotional and physical toll of the incident remains significant.

The incident occurred when the family was snorkeling just 20 feet from the beach. Whitney described seeing a small boat speeding dangerously close to shore. She recalls feeling a sudden impact and wondering if they had been hit by the boat. Brent later described the moment he was struck by the propeller blade, which almost severed his lower body.

"My left leg wasn't functioning, and I felt like something was wrong with my lower body," Brent said. His teenage daughter had to rescue him using a float, adding to the trauma of the situation.

The boat involved in the incident was captured on a security camera, but instead of stopping, it continued on its way. Brent recalled looking to his right and seeing two men in the boat. One of them looked back, but they kept going.

What followed was a harrowing journey through a truck, an ambulance, and finally an air ambulance to a hospital in the U.S. "The doctor told me, 'please get to a hospital in Miami, you need to get to the U.S. for something this traumatic,'" Brent said.

Calls for Justice

While Brent continues to recover in Miami, Whitney has been shuttling between the hospital and North Texas, where their children are preparing to return to school. She is also pushing for criminal charges against the three men who were on the boat. According to Whitney, the men have been identified and briefly detained but have since been released.

Whitney believes public pressure is essential in ensuring justice for her husband. "I want justice for Brent," she said. "The more people that are calling them, the better to keep this front and center, so they really pursue criminal charges against these men that did this to Brent."

Friends of the family have been collecting donations to help with medical expenses, including the cost of an air ambulance that will be needed to bring Brent back to North Texas. The family hopes the transport can happen as soon as next week.

Ongoing Challenges

Despite the efforts to secure justice and support for her husband, Whitney admits she is struggling with the emotional weight of the situation. "I don't know what I should really say about this," she said. "But I feel like the more people that are calling them, the better."

The case has drawn attention from local and national media, highlighting the dangers of reckless boating and the importance of accountability. As the family awaits news on Brent’s condition and the legal actions taken against the suspects, they remain focused on his recovery and the hope of returning home.

For now, the Sloughs continue to navigate the challenges of their ordeal, relying on the support of friends, community members, and the broader public to push for justice and ensure that such incidents do not go unpunished.