Council honors citizens who rescued 3-year-old from drowning
Published 2:39 pm Friday, June 17, 2016
The Renton City Council this month honored four citizens who teamed up to save the life of a 3-year-old boy who fell into Lake Washington in May.
Kayla Jackson, Ernesto Flores, Chris Luca and Sean Sumner teamed up to not only rescue the child from the cold water, but also perform life-saving CPR until firefighters could arrive at Coloun Park to transport the boy.
“It was their bravery and quick-thinking that saved a life,” Renton Fire Chief/Emergency Services Administrator Mark Peterson told the City Council June 6. “Without their intervention, this incident would have had a much different and unimaginable outcome.”
It was Jackson who first heard the boy’s screams on May 12 while walking her dog and jumped into the lake with no regard for her own safety. She was able to keep the boy above water, but because of the elevation of the dock, unable to lift him out. The three men, construction workers at a nearby job site, heard the commotion and worked together to get him out.
When pulled from the water, the boy was not breathing so Chris Lucas administered CPR until Renton Fire and Emergency Services units reached the scene.
Peterson also commended the work of Renton Police Officer Robert McGruder and Sgt. Craig Sjolin, who were first on the scene and assisted Lucas with first aid and provided warmth. The Chief also praised the work of King County Medic Michael Catlin and Gabe Webster, and the crew of Renton Fire Engine 11 Lieutenant Ryan Morgan, Chris Bracken and Justin Olney.
“This was truly a team effort where everyone played a critical role,” he said. “In the middle of a horrific event the efforts of these four citizens cannot go unrecognized. It shows that when people get involved they make a difference.”
