Child, 5, Showing 'Positive Signs' After Being Pulled From Water At State Park In Shelton: Reports

SHELTON, CT — An unconscious child who was taken to a hospital Tuesday afternoon after being pulled from the water at Indian Well State Park in Shelton is now showing "positive signs," according to media reports.

The Shelton Herald reports fire officials said the child, who was initially unresponsive, was in stable condition and "showing some positive signs" late Tuesday evening.

NBC Connecticut reported Tuesday night the child is on a ventilator and the child's mother, who was also taken to a hospital, "is expected to be OK."

Crews told NBC Connecticut the child and his mother were at the state park for a church retreat.

DEEP spokesperson James Fowler said Tuesday in an email to Patch the child entered the water from the boat launch dock at the state park around 4 p.m. and "appeared to be in distress."

Bystanders alerted park staff, who quickly entered the water and recovered the unconscious child with help from Shelton police and firefighters, according to Fowler.

Crews performed life-saving measures on the child, who was then taken to Griffin Hospital in Derby by ambulance. The child was later taken to Yale New Haven Hospital for further treatment, Fowler said.

The child's mother was also taken to a hospital, Fowler said.

Fowler said Wednesday morning the department did not have an update on the child's condition.

Deputy Fire Chief Paul Wilson said Tuesday in an email to Patch a possible drowning was reported in the area of the state park around 4 p.m.

According to Wilson, the person pulled from the water was a 5-year-old boy.

Wilson said in a subsequent email there has been "no change to the boy's condition" as of Wednesday morning.

Fowler commended park staff, as well as ENCON officers and emergency responders, for their swift actions Tuesday.

"This incident is a sobering reminder of the importance of vigilance and caution around water," Fowler said, "particularly in areas where lifeguards are not present."