What happened to 11-year-old Cole Ditmore?

Cole Ditmore, an 11-year-old boy in Louisiana, suffered a stroke after a soccer ball accidentally hit him in the throat, causing a marker he was holding to puncture his carotid artery.

How did Cole Ditmore's stroke happen?

While playing on the school playground, a soccer ball hit Cole Ditmore in the throat, pushing a marker he was holding into the back of his throat and creating a small puncture that compressed his carotid artery, leading to a stroke.

Where was Cole Ditmore treated after his stroke?

Cole Ditmore was rushed to Our Lady of the Lake St. Elizabeth Hospital in Louisiana, where he was immediately treated under stroke protocol. He was then transported to the Pediatric ICU at the Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, where he spent four days recovering.

Home / Health / 11-Year-Old Survives Stroke After Freak Soccer Ball Accident

11-Year-Old Survives Stroke After Freak Soccer Ball Accident

15 Nov, 2025

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Summary

11-year-old Cole Ditmore suffered a stroke after a soccer ball hit him in the throat
Marker in his mouth punctured his throat, compressing his carotid artery
Ditmore spent 4 days in the Pediatric ICU, now recovering with physical therapy

11-Year-Old Survives Stroke After Freak Soccer Ball Accident

On November 15, 2025, 11-year-old Cole Ditmore experienced a terrifying ordeal when a "freak accident" at his school in Louisiana left him suffering from a stroke. Ditmore was standing on the school playground with a marker in his mouth when a soccer ball accidentally struck him, shoving the marker into the back of his throat.

The impact of the ball caused a "small puncture hole" in Ditmore's throat, which then led to symptoms of a stroke. As Ditmore was being examined by an ENT specialist, he began slurring his words, experiencing facial muscle drooping, and struggling to move his left arm. Doctors immediately treated him under stroke protocol and transported him to the Pediatric ICU at the Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, where he spent four days recovering.