Baltimore Police released dramatic footage of a rescue operation conducted by their helicopter unit at Walter P. Carter pool. According to FOX Baltimore, the incident, which could have ended in tragedy, took place last Saturday night when a 25-year-old man nearly drowned after illegally entering the pool post-closure.
The helicopter, known as Foxtrot, was in the vicinity on routine patrol when they heard of the emergency. Considering the gravity of the situation, with the life of an individual hanging in the balance, Flight Officer Craig Hoover executed an emergency landing on a field behind Walter P. Carter Elementary/Middle School. Tactical Flight Officer Andre Smith Jr. quickly disembarked and performed CPR on the victim, a move that proved lifesaving. Eyewitnesses and bystanders had already pulled the individual from the water before Smith's arrival.
In a statement obtained by WBALTV, Smith, a former lifeguard, recounted his quick assessment of the victim's critical condition. "I just knew right away, I could tell he was in bad shape. I actually used to be a lifeguard in the city. That was my high school job pretty much up until I joined the police academy, so I knew right away — just looking at him on the video — that he was in bad shape, and he needed compressions pretty quick," he said.
The split-second decision by the officers not only saved a life but also highlighted the risks associated with unauthorized pool usage after hours. Despite the near-fatal incident, the officers observed people pool hopping again the next day, a behavior they strongly discourage to prevent similar emergencies.
