Police in Margate, NJ, rescue boy who nearly drowned in pool – NBC10 Philadelphia

Audio and video footage capture the dramatic rescue of a young boy who nearly drowned in a pool during a party on the New Jersey shore last month.

The ordeal occurred over Father’s Day weekend at a home in Margate, New Jersey, where a three-year-old boy was found unconscious in a swimming pool.

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“We have a baby that fell into the pool,” the emergency caller says in an audio recording obtained by NBC10.

“Is the baby breathing?” asks Margate Police Department 911 dispatcher and communications officer Kelly Ferrier.

“No! No! He isn’t,” the caller replies.

“Does anyone know how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation?” asks Ferrier.

“No,” says the caller.

“Ma’am, get me someone on the phone who can help the baby,” Ferrier replies.

“We don’t know who can help the baby,” says the caller.

Officials said a family member of the boy then performed CPR on the child while Margate Police officers, including Officer James Costa, rushed to the home. When Officer Costa arrived, he immediately joined the team in an attempt to resuscitate the boy.

“I took over CPR and after a few compressions (the boy) started coughing up water,” Officer Costa said.

The body camera footage shows the moment the boy came to.

“He made the best sound ever. It was like hearing my baby being born. A huge relief,” said Officer Costa. “I tried to comfort him a little. And handed him off to mom before he was sent off in the ambulance.”

The boy’s father is on the board of a foundation run by celebrity chef Robert Irvine. Irvine’s foundation honored Officer Costa, Ferrier and the other first responders at a luncheon last week. The boy’s family also thanked them for saving the child’s life.

“A lot of people forget about 911 and we carry a lot of calls with us,” Ferrier told NBC10. “To know that he made it and then to be able to meet him and his parents was just heartwarming.”

Police said the incident was another example of how a child can drown in a matter of seconds. They also said it was a reminder for parents to remain vigilant at all times.

“We take our son to the pool club all the time,” Officer Costa said. “And I definitely watch him a lot more now than I used to.”