On Reunion of Near-Fatal Drowning, Family Thanks Plymouth First Responders

After a lifesaving rescue four years ago, an area family is giving back to its heroes in Plymouth.

Plymouth’s Fire Station 2 makes a sweet place for a reunion. The Holmstrom family carried 170 bags of small treats into the station on Friday morning, the anniversary of the day first responders saved Lincoln Holmstrom’s life.

“Lincoln’s miracle day … for us is really a day to celebrate Lincoln’s life and that he survived, and really to celebrate the heroes in Plymouth who saved him,” said Kristi Holmstrom, Lincoln’s mom. 

A Miracle Rescue

March 29 is Lincoln’s miracle day. Four years ago, then-three-year-old Lincoln was playing outside when he fell into the creek in his backyard.

His brother Brody called for his parents, who called 911. The operator talked Kristi through CPR after his dad, Josh, pulled him out of the creek.

Firefighter Darrell Norman, who responded to the call that day, remembers the moment it came in. He said they got there as fast as they could.

“When we get calls like that, with young kids, your heart just sinks,” Norman said. “Your stomach sinks down. Because you know it’s just tragic.”

Police got to the scene first. Police Officer Dan Rice took over on the CPR.

“Initially, he did not have a pulse and was not breathing,” Rice said. “After a short time of CPR, I was seeing he was starting to take a breath.”

Once Lincoln was breathing on his own, he was rushed to the hospital. He recovered, and went home a few days later.

The first responders had no idea how he would fare, until Dan stopped by the Holmstrom’s house just hours after he got home from the hospital.

Lincoln Holmstrom wears a firefighter helmet given to him by Plymouth first responders.

Kristi remembers the moment being emotional. She said she was grateful that Rice and another officer stopped by their door.

“I’m grateful that Lincoln pulled through and is in perfect condition,” Rice said.

Going Bigger

The Holmstroms visit Plymouth to thank their heroes every year. This year was different — and bigger. After learning about the death of first responders in Burnsville, Kristi reached out to the Plymouth community to level-up their annual thank you.

She decided to bring gift bags to all 170 Plymouth first responders and their civilian staff.

Kristi rounded up gifts and donations from the community, then got to work on the 170 gift bags. She’s a fourth grade teacher, so she put her students, and her own kids, to work assembling the bags.

Each bag had treats, including Lifesavers, and a hand-written note thanking everyone for all they do.

Holmstrom crowdsourced treats for 170 individual gift bags for Plymouth first responders.

“I called 911 in my darkest moment, and they came and they saved his life,” Kristi said. “So, the least we could do is gather those people together, and say ‘Thank you’ for saving my child’s life.”

“We don’t ever expect any thanks, because it’s our job,” Norman said. “But it’s nice that every year they come and thank us. It is incredible, I mean, today I was just about in tears again.”

The reunion is more than a thank you for the first responders — it’s is also a chance for Lincoln’s heroes to see how he’s grown.

“It feels good to see him and to see that he’s grown up,” Rice said. “And it feels good to get thanked for doing that.”

Plymouth