On Monday, May 30, around 4:45 p.m., what could have been an ordinary evening party suddenly turned disastrous when a Madison County resident, Xavier Hernandez, 25, fell off the end of a dock and was unable to pull himself back out of the water.
A friend of Hernandez, Thomas Davis, 18, of Pinetta, had invited Hernandez to the party and, according to Davis’ claims, Hernandez had been seen sitting on the dock, while dangling his feet in the water only a short while before he had fallen in.
The cause as to why Hernandez fell and could not get back out of the water is not revealed, though there are many variables that could have presented themselves and lent to his terrifying episode.
After falling into the water, Hernandez was spotted by a 12-year-old witness; the witness was playing in the water near Hernandez and had seen him fall into the water and go beneath the surface three times before realizing that Hernandez was in distress. Upon the recognition that Hernandez was struggling and needed assistance, the witness called for help.
The witness’ cries attracted the attention of partygoers, and multiple witnesses rushed to the area to help get Hernandez out of the water.
One witness in particular, Calvin Johnson, heard the cries for help and leapt into action.
Johnson jumped into the water to assist Hernandez and stated that he could see the victim under the water near the end of the dock.
According to Johnson’s reports, Hernandez was still conscience right up to the point where he was pulled from the water.
After taking hold of Hernandez, Johnson was assisted from the water, and both men were brought to the bank, where Johnson attempted CPR on Hernandez while another individual called 911.
Responding to the call was Madison Fire Rescue, Madison County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) and Madison County EMS personnel.
Upon the arrival of the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, a large crowd had gathered around Hernandez and Daniel Ballenger, of Pinetta, an off-duty employee of the Madison County EMS, was assisting a now-breathing Hernandez.
However, Hernandez’s breathing patterns were not regular, with short breaths and long pauses in between, which was a viable cause for alarm.
When an ambulance from the Madison County EMS arrived, the MCSO officer cleared space for the paramedics and EMTs to attend to Hernandez.
Meanwhile, the reporting MCSO officer took statements from Davis, Johnson and two other witnesses, including the owner of the property of which the body of water was located.
All the witness statements coincided with each other, and the MCSO has ruled out any foul play.
Hernandez was attended to by the Madison County EMS until they gave him over to the case of Air Life Georgia, who life-flighted Hernandez to Tallahassee Memorial Hospital, where, according to the latest reports, he is still being treated.
Photo Courtesy Of R & R Event Pros
Xavier Hernandez, 25, of Madison, was life-flighted via Air Life Georgia after being pulled from a pond near Bramble Trail in Madison County. Hernandez was transported to Tallahassee Memorial Hospital where, upon latest reports, he was still being treated.