Mail Tribune News - Toddler remains critical

Mail Tribune (Medford, OR — Wayback)

2000-09-14

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Toddler remains critical BY JULIE SWENSEN A Central Point toddler was still in critical condition Wednesday after he nearly drowned in a backyard pond. Alex Lee Lindsey, 23 months, remained at Doernbecher Children's Hospital in Portland after the accident, which happened about 5 p.m. Tuesday at 305 Mazama in Central Point. Central Point police Sgt. Tony McPherson said there were a lot of people at the home at the time, but they got distracted. Another child discovered the boy in the water, which was no more than 12 inches deep, he said. "This is a tragic accident," he said. "This family is very devastated." The best estimate was that the boy had been under water for 10-15 minutes, said Rod Edwards, battalion chief for Jackson County Fire District 3. The incident prompted District 3 and Mercy Flights paramedics who treated the boy to undergo counseling. Paramedics met with a local critical incident stress debriefing team in a closed-door session to talk about what happened, Edwards said. The team, which comprises professionals including nurses and clergymen, is brought in for stressful incidents such as children hurt in an accident or the death of a firefighter. Mail Tribune Copyright �  The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA