SOUTH JORDAN — A 2-year-old who nearly drowned at a family gathering on Memorial Day is recovering.

Avery Allen fell into Strawberry River and floated approximately 200 feet before being pulled out by a family member, according to the Duchesne County Sheriff's Office. She was transported to Primary Children's Hospital.

"Despite the deliberate attentiveness and constant warnings of parents and extended family, 2-year-old Avery Allen made her way through a thicket of willows and brambles to the edge of the Strawberry river," a statement from the family reads. "Thirty minutes later parents, cousins, aunts and uncles fought to help her survive until the ambulance arrived."

The following days have seen a series of miracles unforgettable by those involved, the family wrote. They said her prognosis is excellent.

“She has made a miraculous recovery thus far,” said fundraiser organizer and neighbor Trisha Linford. “She's very lucky to be alive. They thought she wasn’t going to survive the first day... (and then) last night she reached out and called for her mommy, so these things are huge."

Linford said Avery has been steadily recovering. On the second day after the accident, doctors thought Avery might have suffered a brain injury, but on the third day she tried to pull the tubes off of her and the results of an MRI appeared to be normal.

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Doctors took Avery off oxygen Friday to see how she does, according to a post by her uncle on the Facebook page "Prayers for Avery."

Avery's family lives in the Daybreak neighborhood and Linford said the community has come together to support the family. Pink ribbons have been displayed in front of homes in Avery's honor.

“Our neighborhood has just rallied together. We’ve had planning meetings, we’ve had thousands of people asking how they can help and donate," Linford said. "(They've been) praying and fasting for this little girl."

The neighborhood is hosting a *fundraiser for Avery Saturday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on the corner of Belleville Way and Vermillion Drive in South Jordan. There will be a silent auction, bake sale and lunch to help raise money to cover the family's medical expenses.

Auction items include an autographed Real Salt Lake soccer ball, tickets to Real Salt Lake soccer games, hair cuts, swim lessons, photography sessions, homemade jewelry and quilts.

There is also a fundraising campaign online through Go Fund Me and donations can be made at any Zion's Bank to the "Avery Allen Donation Account." Linford said the neighborhood has raised more than $5,000 in less than 24 hours.

“She’s just this busy little blonde-haired, chubby-cheeked little girl who is full of spunk and life,” she said. “She is so cute.”

The Allen family said they have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support they received and would like to credit the skills of emergency personnel and medical staff at Primary Children's Hospital.

"The family wishes to acknowledge the hand of our Heavenly Father in this journey, and the Fasting and Prayers by so many in drawing on the Powers of Heaven in behalf of Avery," they wrote.

Contributing: Keith McCord, Emiley Morgan

*KSL.com has not verified the accuracy of the information provided with respect to the account nor does KSL.com assure that the monies deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account you should consult your own advisors and otherwise proceed at your own risk.

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