Saving a life at Jacobson Park

[pjflan7]

I am not posting these because they are any good but to give a location to a story....Actually, I had kind of forgotten about this incident until someone mentioned it to me again at work. Not to toot my horn at all, but I thought you all might be interested in what transpired in early February. One evening when it wasn't too cold out, we took our younger two daughters to our local park where our water reservoir is located where there is a lakeside playground. There is a little inlet there with a bridge that goes from the playground to another section of the park and we were crossing this bridge on the way back to our car when we saw this thing floating in the water. My wife and very quickly realized that it was a toddler floating in the water and of course everything from there was reaction.....the toddler was a little black boy who apparently got away from his momma and ran toward the water and fell in headlong. When we found him, he was about 10 feet offshore and floating on his back, eyes open and face submerged under water. The child was unresponsive. I really thought that it was a good possibility that he was already dead or was going to die.....long story short....I jumped in the water....very cold(February), pulled the child out and after some cpr and a couple vicious blows to the back and he came to and ultimately was ok.......I included a news link here for your interest.

http://www.wkyt.com/home/headlines/39395602.html

This 2nd link is of interest because this happened the same week as the near drowning. This was a photo that I submitted to MSNBC contest right near the time I discovered DPS.....haven't been back since.....I enjoy you guys much more!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29168203/

[villafane928]

all i can say is "wow" what a story and what a brave man you are Patrick. you my freind are a true hero!

[mad editor]

Beautiful photos from a beautiful person. How brave and caring you are. You have a lucky family.

[lindyannajones]

Patrick...you saved a life. This leaves me speechless and awed. What a prvilege. Thank you for sharing.

[shmelly]

Another WOW.... how fortunate that you were there and had the presences of mind to be able to save the boys life. Does the Mother involved keep in touch? I think I will have to add Sir to all future correspondence.

[pjflan7]

Hi Michelle, no the mother is another story altogether......while we were working on the boy, 911 was called and when the mother finally showed up about ten minutes later, she was frantic and grabbed the boy and called all the rest of the kids....she and another lady were watching about 6 kids. I think she left the toddler in the care of a 5 year old....and she rushed them all to her van and was intent on leaving before emergency personnel and the police arrived.....she did not want us to tell the medical personnel where she was...she had not left yet...and of course, we fingered her so the child could be seen. Luckily the fire truck unknowingly pulled up and parked behind her van and she was blocked from leaving. We had heard from the news reporter that she has had a history of running into the law with drugs etc. We thought for a while that the child might have gone into custody of protective services, but nothing came of it......

[shmelly]

Sounds like your child care system is as restricted as ours. Can't do a thing to help those that really need it but can make life pretty miserable for some just trying to do the right thing.
Thank goodness you were there.

[cmpool]

Wow again,

You must have been really amped up on adrenalin while this was happening! I'm glad it turned out the kid was OK! Great Job and thanks for sharing!

[Chewys Dad]

Great Stories, Patrick! Wow, I'm in Awe! You really were in the right place at the right time and Thank God! you were able to get him breathing again.
By the way, the pictures of the park are Great, looks like a wonderful place to spend a day with the kids or just fishing.
Thanks for Sharing
Michael

[toyvlle]

Wow, that toddler owes you his life, thank goodness you were there and you saw him. What a story, its really very sad and aggravating about the mom though, sure doesn't sound like a good situation. No medical care, its inconcievable that she would even consider that. You are a good man that did a great thing that day. You saved a life, wow, and your photos are wonderful. I bet every time you cross that bridge you think of that little boy.