A teenager from Utah has miraculously survived after sustaining critical injuries while attempting a risky TikTok challenge known as “couch surfing.” This incident occurred earlier this month, as reported by local media.
Sixteen-year-old Levi Teemant was placed in an induced coma following a skull fracture, traumatic brain injuries, and other serious wounds from the unsuccessful stunt. His family recounted the ordeal to KSL News.
“It’s incredibly painful to see my beloved son in this condition,” expressed Amy Teemant, Levi’s mother, during an interview with the news outlet.
“For over 12 days, I watched him without a single blink or muscle movement,” she added.
The “couch surfing” challenge involves attaching a couch to a vehicle, typically in a parking lot, with a person either sitting or standing on it as the driver maneuvers erratically at high speeds.
This dangerous activity is currently gaining traction among youths in Utah.
Levi, a student at Timpview High School, was initially skeptical of the trend but it ultimately led to his hospitalization at Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City.
He also suffered spinal fractures, broken ribs and facial fractures from the stunt gone wrong.
“He told me he was so proud that he didn’t do it,” Amy said.
Levi changed his mind on May 8.
“Since he saw all of his friends do it and they walked away safe, he must’ve thought it was OK,” Amy continued.
“The first time he makes that choice, he sits on that couch, and the couch leg breaks, and he goes flying, and it’s a horrible, horrible accident.”
Similar trends include “table surfing,” which is the same trend, just with a table instead of a couch.
TikTok has placed warnings on searches related to “table surfing” telling users that the challenge can be harmful. Activities like couch surfing violate TikTok’s community guidelines.
Videos involving both trends are more readily available on Instagram, Snapchat and YouTube.
Levi’s case was not an isolated incident; doctors told Amy that this was not the first injury as a result of couch surfing this year.
“They told us this is the third case they’ve seen of couch surfing here at Primary Children’s (this year),” she said.
Amy hopes to prevent more injuries as a result of couch surfing in the future.
“This terrible thing happened and it’s one more thing to talk to your kids about,” she said.
“Be aware that this is an awful trend and it’s a terrible idea.”
