Former state Supreme Court Justice critically injured - Cozumel

[DandyDon]

Ex-state Supreme Court Justice Chuck McRae in ICU after scuba diving incident in Cozumel

Former state Supreme Court Justice Chuck McRae is in the intensive care unit at a Cozumel, Mexico, hospital after a scuba diving incident.

McRae's daughter, attorney Rebecca McRae Langston, is in Mexico to be with her father.

"I'm not sure what happened," Langston said in a message. "He's been diving for decades, depths over 100 feet and night dives included. They claim he went down 20 feet and panicked. I don't know if it was something more serious. He aspirated a lot of salt water. He has a ventilator and is still asleep."

Langston said she felt her father could hear her. She said he appeared to turn his head toward her when she asked him if he would open his eyes.

Last year, McRae was seriously ill when he contracted two rare bacterial infections. He recovered after multiple hospital stays.

McRae served for 13 years on the state’s high court. He left the court in January 2004 after losing a reelection bid.