It was supposed to be the perfect pool day to cool off in the scorching sun, but it turned into a dangerous swim at a public pool in Boston's Hyde Park neighborhood Wednesday.
An 8-year-old boy was in the water at the Olsen Swimming Pool, on Turtle Parkway, when he went under water and did not immediately resurface.
State police say the first sign of trouble was when a father started calling out for help trying to find his little boy.
“He was in the pool, dad was looking for him, he was under the water, dad noticed he was under the water a little too long,” said Lt. James Bazzinotti of the Massachusetts State Police.
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A Department of Conservation and Recreation lifeguard jumped in the water and pulled the boy out. Other lifeguards evacuated the pool and called 911, police said.
Investigators say the 8-year-old child was conscious and alert when he was rescued, but he was having trouble breathing. The lifeguard performed mouth to mouth, so the child could breathe easier, police said.
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“She did a fantastic job, right to her training, talked to the child, communicated well, the child was not breathing well, but gurgling, couldn’t catch his breath,” said Lt. Bazzinotti.
The lifeguard is being credited with saving the boy’s life.
“I’m just hoping and praying he’s ok,” said witness Charlene Brown.
The child was taken to Boston Medical Center to be evaluated but he should be fine.
“I just saw him leave on the stretcher,” said witness Janel Sucre. “I feel horrible for him.”
The pool was shut down for the remainder of Wednesday. It will reopen Thursday at 11:15 a.m., according to a DCR advisory.
Temperatures were in the 90s in Boston Wednesday and are expected to be oppressively high again Thursday.
