Surveillance video captured the terrifying moment rescuers battled to save a 12-year-old boy who was trapped underwater for more than nine minutes. Source: Liveleak / @ThisIsButter
A surveillance video captured the terrifying moment rescuers battled to save a 12-year-old boy who was trapped underwater for more than nine minutes after his leg was caught in a lazy river's suction line.
Incredibly, the boy survived his ordeal – thanks to a man who kept him alive byperforming underwater mouth-to-mouth until emergency services arrived, ABC15 reports.
The security footage shows two boys playing in the pool at the Avista Resort in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, on March 19, the Daily Mail reported.
The boy, right, is shown on video going underwater moments before trapping his foot in a suction pipe.
They pried the safety grate and the 12-year-old is seen repeatedly diving into the hole to explore the suction pipe – but then his leg becomes stuck.
Police said the boy is alive, but didn't reveal any further details about his condition.
The boy – who has not been identified – was described as four feet tall and weighing about 80 pounds in a police report on the incident.
The boy's friend waits for him to come up for air.
The boy's friend was joined by adults once the danger was apparent.
A police officer arrives - but calmly takes off her shoes before hopping in the water.
The people struggled to free the boy.
It said officers were called to a possible drowning and upon arrival, found the boy 'stuck underwater in what is believed to be the intake pump to the lazy river.'
Another police report said the boy's leg was sucked into the six-inch suction line after a 3ft by 3ft grate covering it was removed, according to WMBF.
The adults perform CPR on the child.
The Avista Resort describes itself as one of North Myrtle Beach's leading oceanfront hotels – and boasts indoor and outdoor pools as well as the lazy river.
DailyMail.com has contacted the resort for comment.
