Kauai boy recovering after car accident

A Kapaa boy injured in a vehicle accident during a camping trip on Kauai remained in critical condition Friday but is improving at Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children, said spokes­woman Melissa Mala­hoff-Kamei of Hawaii Pacific Health.

"He is responding beautifully to treatment," said his father, Matt Warner, during a phone interview from the hospital.

Jacob Warner turned 7 on Friday.

On Monday night Jacob and his younger sister Amelia, 4, were in a sport utility vehicle driven by their father that was traveling south on a dirt road toward Poli­hale Beach. Matt Warner lost control of the vehicle and it flipped into a ditch, partially submerged in water.

Warner got Amelia out of the vehicle but struggled to get Jacob out because the child was tangled in a seat belt. An unidentified good Samaritan who was driving nearby stopped after he heard Warner yell for help.

The man, an emergency medical technician, handed Warner a knife to cut his son free. Later, Warner and the good Samaritan administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation and revived Jacob.

His parents said they are grateful for the good Samaritan’s help in rescuing their son and want to thank him in person.

Jacob was transported to Kauai Veterans Memorial Hospital and flown to Kapiolani Medical Center in critical condition. His mother, Dominika Warner, accompanied her son to Hono­lulu. The boy remains in the pediatric intensive care unit.

"He is trying to wake up a lot. He is responding to voice commands. He follows with his eyes. Looks like he is going to be quite all right," Matt Warner said. "We hope to get him off the respirator in another day or so."

He said the doctor’s prognosis for Jacob’s recovery is good. Doctors initially told the couple that their son might have to stay in the hospital for a few months. Now it appears he might be able to leave in three to four weeks.

"He is recuperating very well," Warner said.