Usher thanks the heroes who saved his young son's life

Usher has thanked the individuals who helped save his young son's life after he nearly drowned in the R&B star's swimming pool on Monday (05Aug13).

The Yeah! hitmaker's five-year-old son Usher Raymond V was admitted to hospital after getting his arm stuck in a pool drain while attempting to retrieve a toy at his father's home in Atlanta, Georgia.

At the time of the accident, the boy and his younger brother were being cared for by Usher's aunt Rena, who tried to free the child and had to call for help from two men working nearby.

Usher raced home and accompanied his son to hospital, where he has been receiving treatment in an intensive care unit, but his condition has since improved and he is now talking and eating.

In a statement released on Wednesday (07Aug13) night, Usher praised medical staff for attending to his son while also thanking his aunt and the two men who helped rescue the boy.

It reads, "I am blessed and fortunate to say that my son Usher V is doing well and is recovering. I am overwhelmed by the outpouring of prayers, love and support for my family's well-being. I would like to thank my Aunt Rena as well as the doctors and nurses who are working with us around the clock. I would especially like to thank the two men who saved my son's life, Eugene Stachurski and Ben Crews. They are true heroes and I am deeply grateful to them."

Usher's ex-wife and the mother of his two sons, Tameka Raymond, who has remained by her son's side in hospital, is now seeking temporary primary custody of the boys, arguing the Grammy-winner isn't providing suitable care.

An emergency hearing has been scheduled for Friday (09Aug13).