The family of Travis Gaines credits Noblesville Police Officer Lt. Bruce Barnes with saving the life of their 18 year old on April 2.
Gaines, a high school baseball player from Lexington, was on spring break in Destin, Fla. with his team when he misjudged the water depth and struck a sandbar – injuring his neck. Barnes, who was also on the beach vacationing with his family, saw Gaines was in trouble and quickly responded to the situation.
“Lt. Barnes was on the beach and pulled the young man from the water, taking appropriate precautions for neck injuries. Bruce and a vacationing paramedic firefighter from Southfield, Mich., resuscitated the young man while waiting on local paramedics to arrive,” Noblesville Police Chief Kevin Jowitt said.
Gaines is currently recovering at a Pensacola hospital. His family thanked Barnes for his quick thinking and gives updates on Travis via a Facebook page in his name (www.facebook.com/LetsRallyAroundTravisGaines).
“Even though there were paid lifeguards on duty nearby, for it not for his keen eye to recognize that Travis was in distress from several yards away, quick thinking to pull Travis to safety and preserve his neck, we would all be attending a funeral this week instead; and would not have the hope that he may once again walk some day in the future,” the family wrote. “We all know that it takes a special person to remain vigilant for other’s safety, even though being off duty with his wife and kids.”
Gaines was airlifted to a hospital in Pensacola on April 4. Barnes made a trip there to visit with Travis and his family.
“He’s a brilliant kid with a 4.0 grade point average and a scholarship to a well-known school in Kentucky,” Barnes said.
Jowitt said Barnes only agreed to share news of the rescue with the hope that it could help Gaines’ family raise money for his medical care. Donations can be made at https://fundrazr.com/campaigns/bTlzd.
“I like to think that in that situation anybody would have done the same thing I did,” Barnes said. “I just want people to know about his situation to hopefully make things easier on him and his family.”
When he is well enough to travel, the Gaines family plans to airlift Travis from Pensacola to a Louisville rehabilitation center for 4-6 weeks.
