Boy survives near-drowning at Jellystone

Published 10:39 am Tuesday, September 4, 2018

A 10-year-old Chatfield boy survived a near-drowning at Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park – Beaver Trails Campground over the weekend.

According to Mower County Detective Steve Sandvik, the incident occurred at 11:34 a.m. Saturday when boy was found floating face-down in the pool. It was reported the child was not breathing and was purple in the face.

As deputies were responding, bystanders provided aid. Among them were two firefighters, one from Blooming Prairie and another from the Winnebago Fire Department, and a nurse, began CPR. The report doesn’t state where the nurse was from.

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The victim then vomited, his heart started beating, he started breathing on his own and was able to answer basic questions according to Sandvik. He was later transferred by Gold Cross Ambulance to Mayo Clinic Health Systems in Rochester. His currently condition is unknown.

There were no lifeguards on duty. Signs posted on the fence surrounding the pool indicated there wasn’t a lifeguard on duty.

The boy was staying with family at the campground.

“It was a very good outcome in a very horrible situation,” Sandvik said.