(KNZA)--A Holton man, shot by a 12-year-old boy during a hunting accident November 2nd near Clay Center, is continuing to recover. 

56-year-old Jerry Valdez remains in the intensive care unit at Salina Regional Health Center where he was flown following the accident. 

He was shot in the back while he and the boy were flushing a covey of quail. 

The 12-year-old, referred to by Valdez as his “hunting buddy” has remained at the hospital with family since the incident happened. 

Valdez has commended the boy for saving his life due to the immediate emergency steps taken following the shooting. 

Valdez's wife, Rogene, has issued a detailed update on his condition, as posted below:

Following a hunting accident on Sunday, November 2nd around 11:00 AM near Clay Center, Kansas – Jerry Valdez, 56, of Holton continues to recover in the Intensive Care Unit at Salina Regional Health Center.  Valdez was hunting with a 12-year-old boy and was accidentally shot in the back while flushing a covey of quail.  

Upon helicopter arrival to the Salina Hospital on Sunday, the trauma team was very concerned with Valdez and said it was a touch and go situation for some time.  They also noted that Valdez kept repeating numerous times that “it was an accident, please tell them it was not his fault,” and that his “hunting buddy” was his main concern.  

After more than four hours of surgery on Sunday, Valdez remained intubated and was very fidgety and agitated on Monday before finally being handed a pen.  He proceeded to write the word “boy” on a piece of paper.

On Friday morning (11-7-14) Valdez was removed from the ventilator and was able to communicate with immediate family.  “I didn’t know you knew for sure what to do in emergency……you saved my life,” Valdez said to his hunting buddy.    

The 12-year-old boy has remained at the Salina hospital with family while Valdez continues to recover and fight, with his “hunting buddy” by his side.   

Jeff Goeckler with the KDWPT was one of the first on the scene of the accident and said that everything was perfectly legal and there was no foul play in this incident.  

Thanks for the continued prayers and support.  The doctors and staff continue to be in awe about how Jerry avoided any worse injury and his significant progress in the beginning stages of a miraculous recovery.