A vacationer saved a 5-year-old boy drowning in a Brooklyn pool: rescuers were confused during the incident

Man saves 5-year-old boy from drowning in Brooklyn's McCarren Park. He said the Parks Department's lifeguards had not responded quickly enough. Daily News.

The boy swam for a long time in the pool. Anthony Torres, who was vacationing there with his family, heard a noise in the pool at 19:10 pm.

“People were screaming and pointing at the bottom of the pool. And that's when I saw a little boy in a fetal position, said Torres, 37. “He was at the bottom of the pool.”

Torres, from Long Island City, watched the action for a while before diving in to grab the boy. He claims that the lifeguards stood at the water's edge instead of jumping into the pool themselves.

“Once I got him to the surface and hauled him onto the ledge, not a single lifeguard came to help,” Torres said. “I put the boy on the side of the pool and he just spewed water and mucus.”

The Parks Department said two lifeguards ran to help the child, while two others remained at their posts, watching the rest of the swimmers.

“Two New York park lifeguards rushed to the aid of the child and performed CPR after he was pulled out of the water,” spokeswoman Megan Moriarty said. Our thoughts are with the child and his family. And we wish him a full recovery.”

Torres said rescuers tried to get him away from the scene while they tried to revive the boy.

“When I got out of the water, all the lifeguards tried to push me away. But I didn't move until I was sure the baby was okay,” Torres said. “I demanded that the rescuer do another round of compresses, and finally the child opened his eyes and began to cry.”

Torres' mother agreed that the pool staff handled the situation horribly.

“I started praying because there was so much noise,” said Torres' mother, Yolanda Torres. “All I could see was people fighting and arguing about how to control the situation.”

Medics took the boy to Woodhull Hospital. He's on the mend.

The Parks Department and the NYPD closed the pool while the police investigated.

The modest hero said he was glad to help.

“People say I'm a superhero,” he said. “But I just wanted to help this kid. I don't even know what to feel."

On the subject: Where to find a free pool in New York

City beaches and swimming pools have reduced their working hours due to a lack of lifeguards. In early July, Mayor Adams agreed to a pay increase to $19,46 an hour to attract more rescuers on the payroll.

On July 24, the temperature peaked at 37 degrees, New Yorkers continue to languish from the prolonged heat.

Cooler temperatures will bring relief on July 26th.