Toddler Critical After Fall in Wichita Koi Pond

Sept. 16--A toddler is in critical condition after being pulled from a private pond in south Wichita, authorities said.

The 17-month-old boy was pulled from a koi pond in the backyard of a house in the 5100 block of South Madison at about 7:40 a.m., Wichita police Sgt. Kelly O'Brien said. That's near Hydraulic and I-135 in south Wichita.

The boy was not breathing when he was taken by ambulance to Wesley Medical Center, O'Brien said, but he has been revived and is breathing on his own.

There's no indication of foul play or negligence, O'Brien said.

"It's a tragic accident," he said.

It appears the boy slipped out into the backyard and went to see the fish in the pond, O'Brien said. Rocks surround the pond, he said, and with the light rain falling Monday morning those rocks would be particularly slippery.

The boy lives with his grandparents in the well-landscaped house just a couple of blocks east of White Elementary School.

Reach Stan Finger at 316-268-6437 or sfinger@wichitaeagle.com. Follow him on Twitter: @StanFinger.

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