Boy who fell into pond near Bush ranch dies

Houston Comical (AP) ^ | March 9, 2004 | staff

[The_Victor]

March 9, 2004, 1:51AM

Associated Press

CRAWFORD -- A 6-year-old boy who fell into a stock pond near President Bush's ranch drowned despite efforts by a rescue team that included Secret Service agents.

Samuel Ketler fell into the pond on Saturday afternoon as he walked next to it with his grandfather, a Texas Department of Public Safety spokesman said.

DPS troopers and Secret Service agents stationed at Bush's ranch two miles from the pond heard an emergency call and came to help, the DPS spokesman said Monday.

When the agents saw that the Gatesville Fire Department could not find Samuel because they did not have scuba equipment, they called for the ranch's special response team, the spokesman said.

After the team of 10 military medics and Secret Service agents arrived with scuba equipment, a Secret Service diver found the boy on his second dive and pulled him to shore.

Rescuers performed CPR on Samuel until a Blackhawk helicopter arrived from Bush's ranch to take the boy to Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center. They continued the CPR on the helicopter, but the boy was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital.

Bush spent the weekend at his ranch and played host to Mexican President Vicente Fox on Friday and Saturday.

[The_Victor]

Is it just me, or does the title and first paragraph sound like the writer is trying to tie this event to the administration?

Maybe I'm just paranoid, at least the president's Secret Service staff performed admirably.

[CholeraJoe]

What did Bush know and when did he know it?

[Puppage]

I thought the very same thing.

[Porterville]

You're not paranoid.

[Porterville]

You're not paranoid.

[dead]

I think you're a bit paranoid, but that's normal these days.

It's a sad story. The poor kid. The poor grandfather.

[MediaMole]

This is a very sad story, but it sure does sound like the reporter is trying to make it look like President Bush was to blame.

The really remarkable thing is that the Secret Service had scuba divers available in Crawford Texas. I can't imagine a situation where they would have to save the president from drowning in arid pasture land.

[b4its2late]

Here's how it should've been written if the writer did not have an agenda....

Associated Press

CRAWFORD -- A 6-year-old boy who fell into a stock pond drowned despite efforts by a rescue team. Samuel Ketler fell into the pond on Saturday afternoon as he walked next to it with his grandfather, a Texas Department of Public Safety spokesman said.

DPS troopers and Secret Service agents stationed at Bush's ranch, which is two miles from the pond, heard an emergency call and came to help, the DPS spokesman said Monday. When the agents saw that the Gatesville Fire Department could not find Samuel because they did not have scuba equipment, they called for the ranch's special response team, the spokesman said.

After the team of 10 military medics and Secret Service agents arrived with scuba equipment, a Secret Service diver found the boy on his second dive and pulled him to shore. Rescuers performed CPR on Samuel until a Blackhawk helicopter arrived from Bush's ranch to take the boy to Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center. They continued the CPR on the helicopter, but the boy was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital.

Bush was spending the weekend at his ranch hosting Mexican President Vicente Fox on Friday and Saturday.

[Fun Bob]

Beat me to the punch.

miserable failure miserable failure miserable failure miserable failure war criminal

[CWOJackson]

Folks, the same thoughts went through my own mind.

Another point that isn't standing out here is that these agents and medics couldn't just run off on their own. Someone in authority had to give them permission to leave their posts...and in this case it appears the value of a young child's life was considered important.

[cripplecreek]

when the news about halliburton is good its just plain ole halliburton. When its bad its THE COMPANY FORMERLY RUN BY VICE PRESIDENT DICK CHENEY.

[Capt. Tom]

This is a very sad story, but it sure does sound like the reporter is trying to make it look like President Bush was to blame.

I wonder if he might have gotten hooked by a local fisherman and pulled into the water. What does DU say about this. - Tom

[StriperSniper]

Here's how it should've been written if the writer did not have an agenda....

You said it.

[b4its2late]

So true, so true.

[cripplecreek]

I should have been a little clearer. We dont want anyone mistaking the VP with someone else.

THE COMPANY FORMERLY RUN BY CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICAN VICE PRESIDENT DICK CHENEY!!!!!!

[Milligan]

Sad story. My Mother lives in a small town with a river running through it. It was winter and two children were playing close to the bank while going to school. One fell in and the other tried to retrieve the other. My Mom said everyone was out there trying to find them but they only recovered the bodies.

[daler]

I have it on good authority that an 82-year-old woman died of a heart attack last month just two miles up the road from Dubya's ranch.

Obviously, the White House has been successful in covering that up, those scoundrels.

[petitfour]

You're correct. I'm sure they had to have permission to leave the ranch. And I share the same paranoia as several other posters who are suspicious of media. However, it also could be said that it was a convenient way to tell folks the boy's location.

Regardless, this is a very sad story. I am sorry the SS could not have gotten there sooner with their equipment. I pray that God will comfort the boy's family in their loss.

[Vic3O3]

D*mn...I feel sorry for the boy's family, AND for the rescuers who didn't get a 'save'. It sounds like everyone involved tried long & hard to find him & save him.

As for the reference to Pres. Bush being at the Ranch, seemed to me to be the explanation as to why all the DPS & Secret Service guys were in the area.

[Feckless]

My wife worked with the boy's mother for several years for UTMB at the prison. Sweet lady, great family. Our thoughts and prayers are with them.