Rescue Efforts Save 3-Year-Old Girl from Drowning
Good Samaritan’s Frantic Call for Help Alerts Police
Lauderhill, FLA. – Police have released a good Samaritan’s frantic call for help alerting them about a 3-year-old girl who got stuck in a lake near her Lauderhill home.
The Incident
The good Samaritan told the 911 dispatcher that he’d spotted a small child running toward a lake, all alone in the middle of the night, early Thursday morning.
"I was driving; it’s a little kid, like maybe 3 years old, running in the street. He’s just running from me; I’m following him so nothing happens to him," said the caller. "I was driving, and I said, ‘Man, I don’t know if I’m tripping, but I either see a ghost or a little kid."
Police Response
Lauderhill Police officers responded to the scene along South Falls Circle Drive at around 1 a.m.
"OK, he’s running over toward the lake, and I don’t see him no more," said the good Samaritan. "You see that over there? Right over there. You got to get out and go follow him."
Rescue Efforts
Once officers arrived, they found the 3-year-old girl who was up to her waist in cold water. Without missing a beat, Lauderhill Police Sgt. Joseph Nistor jumped into the water and pulled the girl out, but he became stuck in mud himself. Nistor then handed the child off to his partner.
Aftermath
The bodycam video shows an officer pulling Nistor out of the muddy water. "Give me your hand, Sarge. One, two, I’m going to throw you, all right? Three!" said the officer.
Back on dry land, the officers checked on the little girl. "What’s your name?" an officer is heard asking the 3-year-old. Not long after, her mother showed up and told officers that her daughter had wandered off. It was a scary situation that could have ended much worse.
Police Chief’s Warning
Lauderhill Police Chief Constance Stanley urged parents to use this scary situation as a chance to teach their children about water safety and to keep their children supervised whenever they’re near a body of water.
Conclusion
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of water safety and the need for parents to keep a close eye on their children, especially near bodies of water.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What happened to the 3-year-old girl?
A: The girl wandered off from her home and got stuck in a lake, but was rescued by Lauderhill Police officers.
Q: Who helped rescue the girl?
A: Lauderhill Police Sgt. Joseph Nistor and his partner helped rescue the girl, with Sgt. Nistor jumping into the water to pull her out.
Q: What happened to the girl’s parents?
A: The girl’s parents showed up and told officers that their daughter had wandered off. They drove her to the hospital as a precaution.
Q: What did the police chief say about the incident?
A: Lauderhill Police Chief Constance Stanley urged parents to use this scary situation as a chance to teach their children about water safety and to keep their children supervised whenever they’re near a body of water.
