A young boy from Calgary who was rescued after almost drowning in a river in British Columbia is currently recovering in the hospital, with his family expressing concern over the severe damage to his lungs.

Nine-year-old Paul-Angelo Warren was enjoying swimming and diving in the Shuswap River near Enderby on August 3 when he failed to resurface after diving underwater. His mother, Maria Warren, recounted how bystanders swiftly came to his aid, pulling him out of the water mere minutes after he went missing.

According to an official statement from the RCMP, the boy was trapped against fallen deadwood by the swift river current before he was rescued and administered CPR upon reaching the shore. Authorities suspect he might have been submerged for up to 10 minutes.

Paul-Angelo is currently being cared for at Vancouver Children’s Hospital, where his family remains vigilantly by his side. Maria emphasized the importance of her constant presence, stating, “I always, always stay with him because I want to make sure that when he opens his eyes, he will see me right away and hear my voice.”

The family’s focus is on supporting Paul-Angelo through his recovery, as they hope for his swift improvement and healing.