Child nearly drowns in trampoline hole

BLOOMER TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) - A 19-month-old child previously in critical condition after being submerged for about 10 minutes on his family's property was released from a hospital Tuesday.

Jaxon Crouse nearly drowned in a man-made hole June 1.

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The hole was dug to set the family's trampoline inside of, at the home in the 6800 block of Raymond Drive, in Bloomer Township. The 3-foot-deep hole was filled with about a foot of water from recent rainfall. The trampoline was in place at the time, according to a news release, and there was some tall grass around the hole.

Jaxon was found floating face-down after wandering away from relatives on the Montcalm County property around 11:30 a.m.

Jesse Crouse, Jaxon's aunt, only went away for about a minute to hang up some laundry, but when she got back, couldn't find the boy.

She and Jaxon's grandmother began the search.

"I'm just positive that that was God sending her, because she's a trained lifeguard, and she just right away, we started looking for Jaxon," said Crouse, who rescued her nephew from the water. "Because we didn't see him with the other kids."

The pair found the boy within minutes, then the grandmother performed CPR on Jaxon all the way to Carson City Hospital.

"I don't think he would be here today, otherwise," Crouse said.

A medical helicopter then took the child to DeVos Children's Hospital, in Grand Rapids, that night.

"It's a tragic accident and a good reminder for us to beware of our surroundings," Montcalm County Undersheriff Mark Bellinger told 24 Hour News 8. "Just like a fire plan, the sheriff's department urges you to have a plan in place for summer activities as well, for having raining seasons. Go around your house and make sure the puddles and other obstacles can be taken care of before somebody gets hurt."

The trampoline was set in-ground to make it closer and safer for the children, the family said. The hole was drained a few days before the incident, Crouse said, but it filled back up likely because the ground water was so saturated from all the rain the area has received.

The family plans to fill the hole and move the trampoline to higher ground, so water doesn't drain into it. They may even fill the hole with sand.

"The last time I saw him was just terrifying," Crouse said.