A 10-year-old boy is being credited with saving the life of another boy, after he pulled the child from the bottom of a pool in Winter Haven.
- Larry Wagner, 10, is credited with saving the life of a 9-year-old boy
- Police say Wagner pulled his friend from the bottom of a pool
- The 9-year-old was taken to the hospital and is in stable condition
The incident happened at about 8 p.m. Friday at the Winter Haven Suites and Conference Center located at 1150 3rd Street SW.
Investigators say Larry Wagner, 10, and Thomas Ingram, Jr., 9, were swimming in the pool. Wagner was swimming laps, while Ingram stayed in the shallow end. After a few laps, Wagner noticed Ingram at the bottom of the pool not moving, according to police.
Wagner, knowing Ingram could not swim, dove to the bottom of the pool and pulled the boy from the deep end, the police report stated. He was able to get Ingram to the side of the pool and kept his head above water.
According to police, Wagner began shouting “drowner, drowner” and got the attention a family friend who was also at the pool.
Charlie Camiel, Jr., the family friend, and another man jumped into the pool to help pull Ingram out. A Property Security member rushed over and began administering CPR.
While CPR was being conducted, a 911 call was made.
When officers arrived, they found Thomas Ingram, Jr, 9, unresponsive outside of the pool. They immediately took over CPR. Ingram was flown to St. Joseph Hospital in Tampa, according to police.
“I am certain that the quick thinking of Wagner saved this boy’s life,” said Chief Charlie Bird. “Without his fast response and perseverance in the time of emergency, this could have certainly had a different outcome.”
At last check, Ingram was still in the hospital in stable condition.