A 12-year-old is being praised for heroic actions after helping save a swimmer in distress at Port Dover Beach.
Around 4:40 p.m. on Saturday, July 5, emergency crews responded after a 65-year-old man experienced a medical emergency while swimming in Lake Erie. Seeing the man in trouble, his quick-thinking young family member pulled him back to shore.
A nearby bystander then stepped in to perform CPR, successfully reviving the man before Norfolk County Paramedic Services arrived to transport him to hospital. Thankfully, no serious injuries were reported.
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and Norfolk County Paramedics are commending both the youth and the bystander for their fast, life-saving actions.
Officials remind beachgoers to stay alert when swimming, wear personal flotation devices (PFDs), swim with companions, and choose lifeguarded areas when possible. Vigilance and teamwork helped turn a frightening moment into a story of courage and rescue.
Written by Jeremy Hall