Family, friends stand vigil for Snohomish boy who nearly drowned

SNOHOMISH -- Friends and family are praying for the recovery of a Snohomish boy who nearly drowned last week on the Pilchuck River.

Travis Anderson, 9, remained hospitalized and in intensive care Tuesday, according to messages posted to a Facebook community page for his school, Totem Falls Elementary.

A family friend described Travis as an intelligent, athletic boy from a devout Christian family. People close to him call him "Moose."

A candlelight prayer vigil was planned Tuesday evening near his home, in the Gold Creek neighborhood, south of Snohomish.

Travis is signed up to enter fourth grade at Totem Falls in the fall, school district spokeswoman Kristin Foley said.

The boy was rushed to Seattle Children's Hospital by helicopter Friday afternoon after he was snagged by a log in the river and sucked beneath the surface.

A bystander pulled him to the river bank, and family began resuscitation efforts. He was under water for about five minutes.

The Anderson family moved to this area from Florida about 18 months ago, said Rachel Hansen, a family friend and school counselor.

Travis' parents work in the biomedical field.

"They're very kind and loving and generous people," she said.

Travis remained in a medically induced coma on Tuesday but has shown signs of being responsive since the accident, Hansen said.

"Really people are thinking that there's going to be quite a remarkable recovery here," she said. "That's what we're hoping and praying for."

People from all over the country have been sharing thoughtful messages via Facebook, she said. Neighbors and school staffers also have collected a large amount of food for the family and are working on getting a donation drive going.

Relatives and others have been helping care for Travis' siblings, Hansen said.

"It's devastating, but people have been so positive about it that it's been helpful to have that feeling," she said.

Rikki King: 425-339-3449; rking@heraldnet.com