Usher Speaks Out Following Son's Pool Accident

After his son nearly drowned in the family swimming pool, Usher has released a statement calling the men who saved the boy's life "heroes." INSIDE EDITION has the scoop.

Usher is speaking out for the first time about his five-year-old son's brush with death in the family pool.

The R&B superstar and The Voice judge said in a statement: "I am blessed and fortunate to say that my son Usher Raymond V is doing well and is recovering. I am overwhelmed by the outpouring of prayers, love and support for my family's well-being."

A dramatic 911 call captured the moment the child took his first breath after at least two minutes under the water.

Usher called two contractors who pulled the boy from the pool and gave him CPR, "heroes." "I would especially like to thank the two men who saved my son's life. They are true heroes and I am deeply grateful to them," he said.

One of the men is sound technician Ben Crews, whose mom says he's getting married next week and hopes Usher will reward him by singing at the wedding.

Usher's children are strong swimmers. Earlier this year he tweeted a picture of the children swimming underwater in Cancun.

Meanwhile, Usher and his ex-wife, Tameka, are preparing to go head-to-head in court Friday.

Usher won an acrimonious custody battle last year, but following the near-tragedy Tameka wants the children placed in her care.

She claims in court papers, "Usher V nearly drowned because of negligence and failure to properly supervise the child."

She particularly cited Usher's commitments for The Voice, and his upcoming movie role playing boxer Sugar Ray Leonard for keeping him from the children.  

Her attorney appeared on Good Morning America. She said, “Miss Raymond would prefer to parent her children herself than nannies or third parties.”

But family law expert Debra Opri says the accident isn't enough to change custody. She told INSIDE EDITION, “It was tragic. Thank God no one died. But Usher, all he has to do is go into court and say I hired a lifeguard to supervise the kids when they're in the pool and that's it.”

Tameka spent the night at her son's hospital bedside tweeting Thursday:  “My son is resting well... We had a SpongeBob marathon ALL night, he wouldn't go to sleep! Thank u 4 the prayers.”