Patoka Lake, Indiana — What began as a family day on the water quickly turned into a life-or-death emergency after a 5-year-old boy was critically injured by a boat propeller at Patoka Lake earlier this month.
Jentry Pace suffered life-threatening injuries during the July 5 accident, prompting a dramatic rescue by his father, Captain John Pace of the Ohio Township Fire Department, who pulled his son from beneath the boat and immediately began lifesaving treatment.
The young boy remains hospitalized as doctors continue working to save his leg and help him recover from devastating injuries.
Father Acts Quickly During Terrifying Emergency
According to local officials, the accident happened as the family’s boat was approaching shore at Patoka Lake.
Captain John Pace immediately realized something had gone terribly wrong and rushed to rescue his son from underneath the vessel.
Conservation Officer Joe Haywood, who responded to the scene, said the situation was critical from the moment he arrived.
“As I was beaching the boat, I heard John yelling, ‘I need your tourniquet, I need your tourniquet,’ ” Haywood recalled.
The officer said Jentry had already lost significant blood by the time the emergency tourniquet was applied.
“Jentry was pale in color. And if you’ve ever put a tourniquet on properly, it hurts. He applied the tourniquet on Jentry, but he really didn’t make a sound. So I knew we’re in a pretty bad situation.”
Officials and family members believe the rapid actions taken at the scene were crucial to saving the boy’s life.
Multiple Surgeries and Long Recovery Ahead
Following the accident, Jentry was airlifted to Norton Children’s Hospital in Louisville, where he has undergone several surgeries.
Doctors continue treating his injuries, and his family says it remains uncertain whether his injured leg can ultimately be saved.
Ohio Township Battalion Chief Chris Watson described the road ahead as challenging.
According to the family’s fundraising campaign, Jentry has survived the initial trauma but continues to face numerous surgeries, rehabilitation and months of recovery.
The fundraiser states:
“Jentry pulled past his initial injuries, but it is still uncertain whether his leg can be saved.”
Family Grateful for Miracle Survival
Officer Haywood said witnessing the incident firsthand made it clear just how close the family came to tragedy.
“There’s a saying that our greatest testimonies sometimes come from our greatest trials. John and Jentry, his whole family’s going through one of the greatest trials they’ll ever go through in their life.”
He added:
“I hope that on the other side of this, there’s a testimony to the goodness of God and one of his great miracles. Because I’m telling you, if you saw what I saw that day, it is a miracle Jentry’s alive.”
Family members have also credited Captain Pace’s emergency training and quick thinking with giving their son the best chance of survival.
Community Rallies Around Young Boy
As Jentry continues recovering, his community has rallied around the Pace family.
A fundraising campaign established to help cover medical expenses and other costs has raised more than $45,000.
The fundraiser notes that Captain John Pace and his wife, Jana, have remained by their son’s bedside while also caring for their two daughters during this difficult time.
Jana Pace has continued sharing updates on Facebook, recently saying that while Jentry is experiencing medication side effects, his condition continues to improve.
She shared that her determined son is eager to leave the hospital, writing that doctors have only a few days to get him ready because, as Jentry keeps reminding everyone, “he’s ready to be home and on his own couch.”
Although Jentry still faces a long rehabilitation journey, his family remains hopeful as he continues making steady progress one day at a time.
What are your thoughts on this remarkable survival story? Feel free to share your well wishes for Jentry and his family in the comments below.
