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MAGNA — When Jacques Bushman was pulled from the freezing water, his family knew he had little chance of surviving.
The 12-year-old boy was taken off life support Thursday after spending two days hospitalized in critical condition. Jacques fell through the ice Tuesday at the Magna Recreation Center, 3250 S. 8400 West. He had reportedly been playing nearby and climbed the fence into the pool area to look for a restroom.
The pool had been closed for the season and was partially full at the time. Jacques was believed to be in the water for 15 to 20 minutes before emergency crews pulled him out and flew him to Primary Children's Hospital.
"There was very little chance, but there was a little chance, so they wanted to give Jacques — who was a fighter — every chance to come out of it," said Richard Elliot, the family's LDS bishop.
Jacques remained on a ventilator while he was hospitalized, and though some of his organs began to recover, his brain function worsened, Bishop Elliot said. The boy's family decided they would let him go and donate his organs.
In doing so, the boy's parent's said Jacques was able to "give a gift that would keep on giving after he was gone from mortality," the bishop said.
He described Jacques as unfailingly cheerful, generous and a little stubborn. He was a happy and active boy who loved Scouting.
"He was a little bit mischievous, had a bit of a twinkle in his eye, but an all-around good kid," Bishop Elliot said.
He was a little bit mischievous, had a bit of a twinkle in his eye, but an all-around good kid.
–Bishop Elliot
"He wanted to explore the world hands-on," said aunt Katrina Jensen. "He was always climbing our fruit trees."
Jensen said the family is attempting to focus on happy memories as they process the "incomprehensible loss."
"Everybody's still kind of reeling," she said. "It happens so fast in this kind of thing. We're just trying to focus on positive memories of him and stay focused on that and not just get enveloped in the grief."
The family's faith in Jesus Christ and membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have helped sustain them through the loss of their son and brother, Bishop Elliot said.
"The grave is not the end of it. In their view and my view, he's gone on and they will have a chance to see him at some point in time in the future. They take great comfort in that," he said.
*Family members have set up an account at Mountain America Credit Union in Jacques' name to help his parents. Donations can be made in person at Mountain America branches or by calling 800-748-4302.
Contributing: Paul Nelson
*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.
