Little Patrick’s survival odds after near drowning experience ‘like winning lotto’, says hero saviours

LITTLE Patrick McLean is one lucky boy and he doesn’t even realise it. Paramedics say his survival — odds wise — after a near-drowning experience, was the equivalent of winning lotto

Miracle survivor Patrick McLean, 16-months, with mum, Amy. Picture: Che Chorley

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LITTLE Patrick McLean is one lucky boy and he doesn’t even realise it.

Patrick gave his mum and grandparents the shock of their lives when he was found near death in the family backyard pool at Darwin River.

After more than a week in hospital — some of which was spent in intensive care — Patrick is now on the mend and is expected to make a full recovery.

Remarkably, this is the second time in less than a year that Patrick almost drowned.

Mother Amy Newton said the family went out for lunch to celebrate Father’s Day and then returned home for a swim in the pool.

She said the family then settled down for a rest and little Patrick disappeared.

Amy thought he had gone to the next room to see his grandad but, in fact, he’d wondered out to the pool and fallen in.

Patrick McLean, 16-months, has made a miraculous recovery after a near drowning experience two weeks ago. He is pictured with his mum, Amy, and uncle Angus. Picture: Che Chorley

Things could have ended in tragedy, however, Amy’s younger brother Angus had an eerie feeling, went outside and found Patrick in the pool.

Patrick’s grandparents then began CPR and Amy called Triple 0.

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“Once I knew mum and dad were doing CPR I ran inside and called Triple-0 and, within a few minutes, the police were there and then, probably 30 minutes, and Jeff (St John intensive care paramedic) was there.

She said waiting for the emergency services to arrive was a scary time.

“I didn’t think he was going to make it because ..... he was breathing a little bit when the police were there, but as soon as Jeff got there, he started deteriorating,” she said.

“So I didn’t know what was going on because I didn’t want to be in the paramedic’s way or the CareFlight’s … way.”

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St John intensive care paramedic Jeff Buteux said Patrick was exceptionally lucky.

“Yeah, so Patrick was unconscious in a bad way, on the decking and required immediate airway management,” Mr Buteux said.

“... we had the other crew coming in, we knew the helicopter was coming, and it was a matter of maintaining his airway and doing our best.

St John intensive care paramedic Jeff Buteux was one of the first emergency responders on the scene and says Patrick is exceptionally lucky to have survived. Picture: Che Chorley

He said little Patrick was exceptionally lucky to have “come out the other end” as well as he has, and guessed his survival was one in 100.

“I mean, he is the lotto ticket,” he said.

He urged people to learn CPR, keep a close eye on children near water and to make sure their pools are fenced.

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