A heroic five-year-old boy jumped into icy waters and saved his little brother after he fell into a creek but it left him fighting for his own life.

Ashkan Thibodeaux, 5, known as Ash, and his younger brother Wyatt were exploring a creek in Itasca County, Minnesota, on Easter Sunday when the frightening accident happened. 

Wyatt fell into the freezing water, and without hesitation, his big brother rushed to his rescue and guided him back to land. 

But Ash then couldn’t pull himself out and struggled to stay above water.

Itasca County Sheriff’s Office and first responders rushed to the scene and rescued him, performing CPR on him for over six hours as he was airlifted to a Minneapolis hospital, his Caring Bridge website stated. 

Ash’s father, Nick Adams, wrote on the site: ‘Hundreds of people did everything they could for Ash over this period of time and our family is so grateful.’

The five-year-old was placed on temporary life support for over 24 hours until his body started functioning again. 

Adams has continued to share updates about his son’s progress to the Caring Bridge page. The most recent on Thursday spoke about his son’s most recent surgery.

Ashkan Thibodeaux, 5, known as Ash, heroically saved his younger brother after he fell into an icy creek

Little brother Wyatt (left) and Ash munching on snacks together, the five year old was able to save his brother but then unable to pull himself out of the water

‘Go Ash, Go has become a common phrase at the Minnesota Children’s Hospital, in messages from friends and family, in the halls of his school and around the community we live in. To even be where we are today with Ashkan is a miracle, and it looks like the miracle is still unfolding. 

‘After yesterday’s surgery, Ashkan’s platelets have rallied and are in normal range and his kidneys are being resilient enough to not need more dialysis at this point. 

‘Heart rate, blood pressure and temperature are normal and his bowel output is already strong enough that he can begin tube feeding – huge steps that feel like they’ve taken forever from here, but have come very quickly considering what he’s been through.

‘After being taken off of sedation, Ash quickly began moving ALL of his body parts on his own and this afternoon during occupational therapy, Ashkan was sitting up, following commands, tracking people in the room, lifting his butt and legs up to help change bedding, and he nearly delivered a successful high-5. 

‘Speech therapy started this afternoon as well (despite Ash still being intubated) and he was able to produce a small sound.

‘Despite the intense pain medication he still requires, we are seeing more and more of the Ashkan we know come out in small ways. We’re praying that we keep seeing Ash emerge each day.’ 

On April 7, Ash underwent major internal organ surgery to remove irreparably damaged parts of his digestive organs. 

After the surgery his father wrote: ‘It has been a hard week and we are so hopeful by the signs Ash is showing us. His nurses and doctors have been incredible at keeping Ash as comfortable as possible – and keeping us confident.

Ash has undergone at least two surgeries since being admitted to the hospital. He has been hailed as ‘a warrior’

Ash holding up a peace sign with Wyatt in the kitchen, the five year old has been making huge progress since he was admitted to the hospital

The adorable brothers playing with toys and building Legos together

‘This is all scary stuff for a five-year-old and he’s been fighting on bravely day after day.’

Ash is a hockey player for the Greenway Mini Mites, and the youth team moms have been rallying to support him and his family.

Hockey mom Kayla Swanson spoke to the Daily Mail about the drive. 

‘As soon as we got word of the news on Ash our mini mite moms teamed up and were on it – brainstorming ways we can support this family,’ Swanson told the Daily Mail.

Her children play on the same team as Ash, and she emphasized that they are a tight-knit community. 

The hockey moms created a T-shirt fundraiser to donate all proceeds to Ash’s family to help with medical costs and supplies.

The gray shirt, featuring their hockey logo, has green lettering that reads ‘Stick together for Ash,’ with hockey sticks and the number 21.

‘It’s just what we do in this small town – stick together,’ she told the Daily Mail. ‘That’s why we thought “stick together for Ash” was very fitting.

Ash has been responding well to treatment and is continuing to improve

Ash posing with his hockey gear. His team has rallied to raised money for him and his family

The logo on the T-shirts that are being sold by a local business to raise money for the family is pictured

Along with the T-shirt fundraiser, a GoFundMe was created and has raised over $40,000

‘Ash has overcome all odds.’ 

Swanson said that a small town business called Shep’s Apparel donated T- shirts for the fundraiser.

As of Wednesday, over 200 T-shirts had been sold, and a local business called Statt Wraps is donating 200 vinyl stickers with the fundraiser logo for hockey helmets and cars, Swanson added.

A GoFundMe was created and has raised over $40,000 in donations.

‘Ash is a warrior – with a very long road ahead and we need to focus on prayers for this sweet boy and ways to support them,’ Swanson said.

‘Ash’s fight is not over, there are still many obstacles for him to overcome. But he is stable at this time and not giving up,’ she added.

DailyMail.com has reached out to Ash’s family for further comment.