Aided by first responders, a toddler was saved from drowning near Vergas on Tuesday, April 30, according to the Otter Tail County Sheriff’s office.

A report was received from a 30-year-old rural Vergas woman after she discovered her 1 ½-year-old son had fallen into open water near her home and was not breathing. 

Around 1 p.m, the Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office, Vergas Rescue, Vergas Fire, Perham Ambulance, and Lifelink III Medical Transport responded to the scene northeast of the city of Vergas. 

Upon arrival, it was discovered the woman was outside with her three young children. Soon she discovered the 1 ½-year-old was no longer by her side. The mother immediately began looking for the child before finding him floating face down in the water behind the remnants of a fallen down barn on their property. 

The area was reportedly dry prior to the recent rains. The area of water the child was found in was roughly 4.5 feet deep. 

Life saving measures were provided and the child was conscious prior to being transported by Life Link III for further medical treatment and evaluation.  

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more children ages 1–4 die from drowning than any other cause of death.