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Michael Patterson is still in the ICU after rescuing a 4-year-old from drowning.
Michael Patterson, of Rockmart, Georgia, was spending a leisurely Saturday with his 9-year-old son Cole at Euharlee Creek when 4-year-old Jevaeh Jones, who was visiting the creek with her mother, was swept under by a strong current. Rockmart Police Chief Keith Sorrells told The Cedartown Standard that Patterson “acted reflexively,” diving off the dam into the creek to save the little girl.
Vickie Jones, Patterson’s mother, explained that Carlisa Jones, the mother of the toddler, “hollered ‘There goes my baby!’ and Michael just dove in. They said he dove a deep dive in a shallow area. Even though the creek was deep, it was only about five or six feet. As hard as he dove and as deep as he dove … he dove too deep.” In fact, authorities are unsure how Patterson, who according to doctors broke his neck in three places and severed his spine, was even able to save the child. Jones said, “The little girl was at the bottom, but they saw something push her up. They got the little girl and they didn’t realize what happened to Michael.”
Bystanders saw Patterson floating face down in the water almost 3 minutes after the Jevaeh Jones was pulled from the water. They got him out of the creek and called 911. His mother said:
He did drown. He’s been on life support. They did take the ventilator and everything out (on Monday) and he is breathing on his own … The doctor told me that what I see now, I know he can only give me a medical (response) … but he said what we see now is probably as good as it’s going to get. But I’m praying he’s wrong.
Perhaps not surprisingly, this isn’t the first time Patterson has been credited with saving a life. Two weeks ago he witnessed a full gasoline tanker-truck t-bone an SUV. According to his mother, “It happened right in front of Michael, who was at the red light.” Patterson jumped out of his vehicle and helped pull the driver of the gas truck out of the way before anything caught on fire. One of the police officers who responded to that wreck was also on scene at the creek and recognized Patterson.
Patterson, who is a carpenter, had just started a new job about two weeks ago after being unemployed for several years during the recession. He has no health insurance, and his family isn’t sure how they will be able to cover his medical expenses. They are working on getting him admitted to the Shepherd Center, which is a nonprofit spinal cord rehabilitation hospital.
To contact the family, email: [email protected]
Donations can be made to:
River City Bank
“Mike Patterson Donation Fund”
228 N. 2nd Ave SW
Rome, GA 30165
There is also a Facebook page that will provide updates.