This is a press release courtesy of the Cowlitz County Sheriff's Office

Cowlitz County Fire District 5 firefighters and Cowlitz County Sheriff's deputies responded to a report of a possible drowning in the 300 block of Modrow Rd., Kalama at around 4:10 p.m. today.

Some time earlier in the afternoon, the victim's mother, 29 year old Kacy Sacher had put her son, 2 1/2 year old Zander Payne, down for a nap. She and her other son, who is 9, also fell asleep. When the boy's father, 27 year old Chris Payne arrived home he went to look in on Zander. Not finding Zander in the house, he ran out to their back yard swimming pool and found the boy face down in the pool.

The victim's father, a Fire District 5 volunteer firefighter, pulled the boy from the water and began CPR. When other firefighters and EMTs arrived they took over the life-saving efforts.

The victim was transported by ambulance to the Kalama Fairgrounds where he was transferred to a Life Flight helicopter and then taken to Emanuel Hospital in Portland, OR.

After life-saving efforts there failed, the victim was pronounced deceased.

"Kalama firefighters are hurting for Zander, and their brother firefighter." said Cowlitz County Sheriff's Captain Mark Nelson. "They care so much for their community and especially when it's one of their own. This really hurts." Nelson said.

"This is the second back yard pool child drowning I have been at in the past week." Nelson said. "I urge people with back yard pools and small children to take extra precautions, like moving ladders away, use fencing or something to block unsupervised access to the pools. They are just being kids and they are drawn to the fun of a pool. They don't understand the danger." Nelson said.

"All our prayers go out to this family and the community of Kalama." Nelson said.