In the wake of severe storms in Rutherford County, a young boy, the son of the area's Director of Schools, has been reported in critical condition after a nightmarish accident involving a storm drain. Nine-year-old Asher Sullivan was swept away by rushing waters while neighbors gathered to clear storm debris, according to a NewsChannel5 report.

Dr. Jimmy Sullivan, Asher's father and the educational leader for the county, detailed his son's harrowing ordeal via a Facebook post. The child was allegedly playing in the water-filled streets, was caught by the drain, transported beneath the neighborhood, and ultimately emerged in a drainage ditch where he received CPR. After being transported from Ascension to Vanderbilt Hospital, Asher is suffering from severe lung damage and showing limited brain activity, as reported by WSMV.

As the community reels from the impact of the weather and its aftermath on one of their own, Rutherford County Schools announced a prayer vigil, extending an invitation to all wishing to support the Sullivan family. "There has been an outpouring of love and support from the community for Director Jimmy Sullivan, his family and specifically for his nine-year-old son, Asher," the school district expressed in a statement obtained by WVLT. The vigil is scheduled to take place at the RCS District Office.

While Asher remains at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt in critical condition, his father implores the community for their continued prayers. "His lungs are severely damaged, and he is not showing much brain activity outside of muscle jerks," Dr. Sullivan told WSMV. The family, clinging to hope amidst this tragedy, is in need of a miracle.