Child Taken To Hospital After Near Drowning At Jungle Island
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – A child was taken to the hospital Tuesday after being pulled from the water at Jungle Island.
Just after 11 AM, Miami Fire Rescue was dispatched to Jungle Island waterpark to reports of a 7-year-old near drowning.
Staff told fire rescue that the kids were at a day camp. The kids, who were between the ages of 3 and 13, were visiting from the Miami Lakes area.
While in the water, fire rescue said, the boy had removed his life vest and attempted to swim to a large float.
Jungle Island, in a statement, said that a lifeguard, who is also a paramedic, pulled the boy who was "exhibiting signs of distress" out of the water and performed CPR. Emergency responders were called and by the time they arrived the boy was speaking and was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital.
Jungle Island's statement following the incident reads in part, "As the safety and security of our guests is of the utmost importance to us at Jungle Island, our internal Emergency Response Team followed all procedures and took quick action in responding to this situation. Following normal park policy at the time of the incident, there were five certified lifeguards on duty including a certified EMT/paramedic. On behalf of Jungle Island, we wish the child a speedy recovery."
The child is reportedly in stable condition.