A mother claims that her son’s bright orange sneakers were responsible for his miraculous rescue on the Mississippi River following a barge crash, according to WCCO.
Jeremy Koenig, 45, and his four children (ages 11 to 3) were fishing in the Mississippi River near Red Wing, Missouri, when their little boat was struck by a barge.
The incident happened on June 3, according to cops. All four children were wearing lifejackets, according to authorities. The Central Daily reported.
According to witnesses, Koenig, three of his four children, and Vincent made it to shore. Vincent, on the other hand, was abandoned in the river by one of his children. According to WCCO.
Vincent, a 5-year-old kid from Vincent, was able to recognize himself in the dark water thanks to his bright orange sneakers, according to the family.
“Vincent has stuck underneath and thank goodness he was wearing shoes with orange bottoms. Jeremy spotted his shoes and was able to find him. It is unknown how long Vincent was submerged underwater.
I’m told that all the bystanders were extremely wonderful and they began CPR until EMS arrived,” the boy’s mother wrote on her Caring for the Bride Website
The boy is currently being treated at the Mayo Clinic and does not appear to be suffering from any brain damage. Mayo Clinic alerted WCCO that the boy is in critical condition.
*Jeremy & I along with our family are living a parent’s worst nightmare. Our son Vincent was out on the boat to go fishing with his dad and siblings when it stalled.
An oncoming barge struck them and capsized the boat. Vincent has stuck underneath and thank goodness he was wearing shoes with orange bottoms.
Jeremy spotted his shoes and was able to find him. It is unknown how long Vincent was submerged underwater. I’m told that all the bystanders were extremely wonderful and they began CPR until EMS arrived.
He was brought by ambulance to RW and our dear friend Doug Larsen continued CPR. Once Vincent was intubated and they were able to get his pulse, he was airlifted to Mayo Rochester pediatric ICU.
We will be forever grateful to the EMS, first responders, medical nurses, doctors, PAs, and deputies for their excellent work.
jeremy & I are both staying with Vincent in Rochester. We will try to update as we are able. We are very grateful to everyone who has reached out to offer prayers, support and helps during this awful tragedy. Please continue to pray for Vincent.
The ICU attending told us that time will tell us the extent of damage to his neurological function. Even though he said that we have a marathon ahead of us, He remains optimistic.
Vincent is requiring light sedation, continues to be intubated, and may require ECHMO but as of now, he is maintaining cardiac profusion with medication alone.
we love this little boy SO very much and cannot imagine life without his smile and laughter!
