A near fatal drowning of a 9-year-old boy was averted because of the quick actions of a hotel guest said, Chief Anthony G. Manna.
According to Chief Manna, at approximately 6:37 P.M. on Wednesday police units were dispatched to the pool area of the LaQuinta hotel, located at 38 Two Bridges Road, on a report of a 9-year-old boy who had been underwater in the pool.
When the officers arrived, the boy was out of the water, and CPR had been undertaken. The officers observed that the victim had a pulse and was breathing on his own Chief Manna said.
Officers administered oxygen and monitored his condition until he was transported to St. Joseph’s Medical Center by the West Essex First Aid Squad.
Preliminary investigation revealed that a mother and her five children ranging in age from 1-9 years old were all in the pool with a male companion of the mother.
Chief Manna said the family was from out of town and none of them knew how to swim.
"It appears that, while the adults were focusing their attention on the younger children, the 9-year-old began to struggle and eventually ended up under the water in the deeper end of the pool, " Chief Manna said.
The male companion then ran to the front desk to get assistance. At that time, a 37-year-old from Hazelton, PA., was checking into the hotel and immediately responded to the pool area.
The man, who himself did not know how to swim, then jumped into the pool, and after a few attempts was able to go under water and remove the child from the water.
The child is listed in stable condition.