This past Memorial Day was the worst of my career. After a beautiful weekend with a packed park and no incidents on Monday at 5pm we got a call of a possible drowning. One youth rescued and one missing. When we arrived on scene one boy was on the shore and one missing. With the first responders on board our pontoon boat we learned the two boys ages 16 and 17 rode an ATV down to the waters edge and decided to try and swim across the upper end of the lake. 3/4 quarters across one boy Petie went into distress. Nearby fishermen heard the call for help, but the time they got there they were only able to pull one boy to the side of their boat and to safety.
After 90 minutes the divers were able to find Petie through the aid of the witnesses who were able to give us a location of where he went down. I have to say that was the worst part for all of us on board. So young 16 years old, I thought of my two kids and how quickly life can change. Due to the cold water every effort was given to try and revive the boy and he was airlifted out but to no avail.
The following Saturday all his friends organized a ride for him. He was into dirt bikes and trail riding. During that ride my neighors boy laid his dirt bike down, hit a tree with enough force to crack his helment. He was unresponsive and currently is in a hospital in an induced come. They put a shunt in his brain to relieve the pressure from the swelling. Last evening he had a set back with one lung collasping.
So I am asking all of the ABB family to say a pray for Luke, Petie and William his best friend who was swimming with him that day and for all the familes, friends and first responders who do this daily for all of us .
For all of us with kids, hug and love them daily. Life is precious, take no day for granted. As a water saftey instructor for the past 30 years, remember drowning is silent. People don't yell for help, they just go under, please wear a life jacket. For I didn't know of Petie until that day but he'll forver be a part of me now. Blue Sky's to ya all.
Wow, prayers to Luke for his recovery.
Warm thoughts go to Petie's family and friends as they all deal with this terrible loss.
May William one day be at peace.
Positive energy to all involved with this tragic event.
Positive vibes from me to all involved.
Thoughts and Prayers, My 2 are 20 & 21 and no matter how big or small the ailment you feel heart wrenchingly helpless when they're suffering. May God Bless all the children.
Positive vibes from over the pond ... my son is into mountain biking and had a near miss last new year ... thankfully he is ok ... just a few metal plates holding his wrist together ... his helmet saved his head which hit a tree stump ... hoping for the best for your neighbours boy ...
My condolences to all. What terrible tragedies. You and are friends and their loved ones will be in my thoughts.
That is really horrible. They organize a ride to honor the kid, and one of the participants ends up with a brain injury. Best of healing Karma out to this kid!! A collapsed lung is not good........I assume he's on a ventilator.
I've worked in hospitals for 21 years so I'm somewhat immune to the shock of death. But NOT when it comes to a teenage kid. I haven't seen many of those fortunately, having never worked in a trauma center. But I've seen kids lives altered horribly by motorcycles or Ecstasy. It hits you 10 times as hard as watching even a middle-aged person die.
Thoughts and prayers. That's just awful.
so sad.... I do believe in the power of prayer and am adding to the prayer chain...
prayers and healing wishes
out from Oregon
horrible news
prayers and vibes to the boys and their families
Thank you to everyone for keeping all the families in your thoughts and prayers and for adding Luke and the rest of the families in your prayer chains. Keep them coming please. It is a blessing living in a small town. Everywhere you drive banks, stores, fire departments you see signs up saying prayers for Luke. Several places are having dinners to help Petie's family with expenses Luke's mom and dad are great people and asking for everyone's prayers.
Luke has had a set back, he is still in a medically induced coma and his brain is swelling out of a section of his skull they had to remove The doctors remain optimistic but we know he has a long road ahead. Hug your loved ones tonight. Thanks and Blues Sky's to ya all
