Teenage lifeguard saves child after pulling him from Acton swimming pool

A teenage lifeguard revived a 5-year-old boy pulled from a swimming pool in Acton before first responders arrived Sunday evening, officials said Sunday.

The 19-year-old lifeguard was on break just before 5 p.m. Sunday when the child’s flotation devices came loose and the child drifted into the depths. He was submerged for about 30 seconds, authorities said.

The boy was unresponsive when the lifeguard pulled him from the water, according to Acton police and firefighters. The 19-year-old then performed two rounds of CPR which allowed the child to be alert and breathing on his own before first responders arrived.

Acton first responders then arrived at the Bellows Farms condominium complex, located at 111 Davis Road, shortly after 5 p.m. Firefighters transported the alert child to the hospital.

“Chief Cogan and Chief Arnum would like to commend the lifeguard who helped save the boy from the water and performed CPR to get the boy breathing again,” they said in a statement.

Police said the child’s parents were nearby and the incident was accidental, according to initial indications.