East County child nearly drowns

A 3-year-old child was saved from drowning last night thanks to the fast action of his aunt and an off-duty nurse.

A Manatee County Sheriff’s Office report states the child was wearing an inflatable ring while playing in the pool at the Yacht Club, an apartment complex in Heritage Harbour, on July 8. The child and three other children were being supervised by their aunt, who was talking on her phone at the side of the pool.

The report states she took her eyes off the children for no more than a few minutes before noticing the 3-year-old was floating in the pool face-down and unconscious. The aunt, who is not named in the report, pulled the child from the pool and began screaming. Her efforts gained the attention of a nurse and an EMT who were working out at the gym next to the pool. The nurse performed CPR and quickly revived the child, who was transported to Manatee Memorial Hospital for observation, the report states.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].