How A Drowning Child Was Saved From Lake Hopatcong: Hopatcong Police Share The Full Story

HOPATCONG, NJ — Hopatcong Police have shared a harrowing account of how firefighters, police, EMT and hospital workers raced to save the life of a seven year-old boy found on the bottom of Lake Hopatcong.

It's a story of right place, right time: seven-year-old Nicholas was visting Lake Hopatcong on July 3 with his mother when he went missing. Luckily, members of the Hopatcong Fire Department were also enjoying a day at the lake, and they jumped into action, pulling Nicholas from the lake and beginning emergency CPR.

You can read the full account of the rescue, as written by members of the Hopatcong Police Department, here:

On July 3, 2017 a young boy named Nicholas was bringing buckets of water from the lake to the beach area. Nicholas did not know how to swim well. A lifeguard was watching the water at the time. Nicholas somehow swam out to the last buoy which is about 25 feet off shore. He then disappeared under the water. Within approximately 2 minutes his mother and others saw that Nicholas was missing. A swimmer who is also a Hopatcong Fireman named Alex Rodriguez found the child under water. Rodriguez brought Nicholas onto shore. Alex's wife who is Andrea is certified in CPR. Her and Tom Brown (another Hopatcong Volunteer Fireman) began CPR on Nicholas.

Police Officer James Still and Sgt. Ryan Tracey arrived on scene, and began working on taking care of Nicholas. The following is taken from Still's report:

Sgt. Tracey and I arrived on scene and were directed by witnesses to the shoreline of the beach club. I grabbed my emergency medical response bag and AED and ran to the group of people. Upon arrival, CPR was being administered to a 7 year old juvenile later identified as Nicholas (Redacted). CPR was being administered by Andrea Rodriguez, who stated to me that Nicholas was under water for an undetermined time and was on her third cycle of chest compressions. I asked if rescue breaths were conducted and I was told 2 breaths were attempted, but chest rise was not seen. I ordered compressions to be discontinued, dried Nicholas with a towel removing excess water and applied juvenile pads connected to my AED. I could not initially ascertain a pulse and noticed that Nicholas was blue in the face. I cleared as many people back as I could from Nicholas as the AED analyzed him. The AED advised that a shock was not needed and to begin chest compressions. I took over chest compressions and Sgt. Tracey began to set up the oxygen tank. Sgt. Tracey notified dispatch to put the helicopter on standby for transport. Nicholas' face was covered in sand and vomit. I asked when he vomitted and was advised just before I had arrived.

I stopped chest compressions after my third cycle and pulled Nicholas into the recovery position, on his right side, towards me. I opened his mouth and began to sweep my index finger into the upper portion of his throat. I was able to pull out 2 clumps of sand and digested food that appeared stuck. I then placed Nicholas onto his back, the AED analyzed his heart beat, and was advised to continue chest compressions. I resumed compressions while Sgt. Tracey provided rescue breaths with a Bag Valve Mask (BVM). Hopatcong EMS arrived on scene and assisted with care. Sgt. Tracey switched positions with Hopatcong EMS and she maintained rescue breaths with a BVM while I provided compressions.

Nicholas's pulse returned and was about 90 beats per minute. Nicholas was placed into the recovery position again, as he was able to cough out more sand and digested food. I resumed compressions while EMS resumed rescue breaths. ALS out of St. Clare's arrived on scene and assisted with setting up the stretcher. I picked up Nicholas with assistance from EMS, and placed Nicholas onto the stretcher. I maintained compressions while we transported Nicholas into the ambulance. Ptl. [Nicholas] Maresca transported Nicholas' mother, (redacted) to Morristown Memorial Hospital to await her son's arrival.

In the ambulance, ALS was able to begin an IV drip and connect an EKG to monitor Nicholas' heart rate. I was able to discontinue chest compressions as Nicholas's heart rate remained at 106 beats per minute. EMS was able to suction out all remaining sand and digested food from Nicholas' throat. The ambulance was driven to Squire Field as it was prepared for a helicopter landing. Atlantic Air One arrived on scene and evaluated Nicholas. I then assisted in placing Nicholas into the helicopter where he was then air lifted to Morristown Memorial Hospital.

Still visited Nicholas in the hospital that Friday morning, and had good news: then followed up on the condition of Nicholas as follows:

On [July 7 at 10 a.m.], I traveled to Morristown Memorial Hospital to visit with Nicholas (redacted). I was directed to the 3rd floor of the Goryeab Children's Hospital, into the PICU Room. I was able to speak with doctors and the family in regards to Nicholas. Nicholas had just had his breathing tube removed at 09:30 AM and was currently breathing on his own. Doctor's reported that he would remain in the hospital for a few more days, but he is healing nicely. Nicholas was able to talk to me a little bit, open his eyes, and grab my hand. Doctor's hope he will transfer out of the PICU within 3 days. There is zero report of brain injury at this time.

The story has a happy ending: Nicholas returned home Tuesday afternoon, escorted by members of the Hopatcong Fire Department.

• Read More: Boy Rescued From Lake Hopatcong Released From Hospital, Fire Department Says

Images via Hopatcong Fire Department