COCOA, FLORIDA — Several police officers are being hailed as heroes this week after rescuing a toddler trapped under a capsized boat.
The Bossard family’s boat overturned late last Friday near the Hubert H. Humphrey Bridge on the Indian River after hitting a guy-wire, the Cocoa Police Department said in a statement posted to Facebook.
Tammy, her husband Brian and their 7-month-old daughter Charlotte struggled to climb on top of the boat, reported the Washington Post. They could hear their 23-month-old daughter Kennedy crying but couldn’t see her. Unknown to them, the toddler – who was wearing a life vest – was trapped under the boat.
Emergency responders arrived at the scene but it was four cops who reportedly dove into the water and spent nearly an hour looking for the child.
And just when nearly all hope was lost, officer Alan Worthy said he pressed his ear up against the boat and heard the toddler crying, reported the Post. That’s when officer Matt Rush “pulled the child down out of the hull of the boat” and saved her from what may’ve been a watery grave.
The toddler, her sister and parents were all checked by paramedics following the accident and were said to be in good condition.
