10-Year-Old Boy Swept Into Storm Drain Remains on Life Support Waiting for Organs to be Donated

A 10-year-old boy, Asher Sullivan, who was swept into a storm drain while helping his family with storm remains cleanup, has been placed on life support for organ donation, as verified by his father.

Despite officially dying on May 18, Asher remains on life support to facilitate the donation process, as his father, Jimmy Sullivan, declared in a Facebook post.

Sullivan conveyed that continuing to be magnanimous is characteristic of Asher, who will be honored with a gathering at the hospital as a hero.

10-Year-Old Boy Swept Into a Storm Drain

Asher, a fourth-grade student, was involved in the accident while playing and assisting with cleanup efforts after severe weather in Christiana, Tennessee.

He was sucked into a drain by moving water and remained underground for 10 to 14 minutes before getting urgent medical attention. Despite attempts, Asher never recovered consciousness and was treated at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

His father, Jimmy Sullivan, who leads the Rutherford County Schools district, kept the community updated on Asher's situation through Facebook posts.

The family, including Asher's mother, Kaycee Sullivan, and his brother Declan, got extensive support from the community, specifically after Declan battled cancer in 2020.

Asher is defined as a happy child who enjoys traveling and outdoor activities with his family. The Sullivans are regarded as a beloved family in their neighborhood, which is populated by many Rutherford County Schools' teachers and students, numerous of whom were helping during Asher's accident.

Tennessee Boy Remains on Life Support for Organ Donation

Asher Sullivan was playing with other neighborhood children in the water while neighbors were clearing storm debris following severe thunderstorms on May 8.

Unfortunately, Asher got caught in a storm drain and was pulled under the street. Despite attempts to save him, including life-saving measures conducted by his father, Jimmy Sullivan, who serves as the superintendent of Rutherford County Schools, Asher sustained serious brain injury due to lack of oxygen.

His father shared an emotional update, revealing Asher's passing at 1:20 p.m. CT. Sullivan recounted how Asher, true to his selfless nature, decided to donate his organs, leading to his remaining life support.

The family sees this act as quintessentially "Asher" and plans to honor him with an honor walk at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital. The tragic accident occurred during a severe weather event in Rutherford County, marked by a rare Tornado Emergency.

This same weather system caused a lightning strike that ignited a fatal house fire, claiming three lives, including that of a child and a pregnant woman, in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee.

Despite being critically injured and placed on life support, further brain damage was revealed by a subsequent MRI. The family made the difficult decision to let Asher go after his vitals deteriorated rapidly.

Tests confirmed Asher's passing, and the family is now mourning privately, asking for prayers as they navigate life without him. Sullivan reflected on Asher's remarkable life, filled with travel, sports, and kindness, describing him as a bright soul who touched many hearts.