Terrifying security footage shows bystanders and rescuers battling for NINE minutes to save a 12-year-old boy trapped underwater by a suction line in a South Carolina lazy river
- The video shows two boys playing at the Avista Resort in North Myrtle Beach
- One calls for help after the 12-year-old gets stuck in the six-inch suction pipe
- One man performed underwater mouth-to-mouth aid to keep the boy alive
- Police arrived on scene and an officer managed to pull the child from the pool
A surveillance video captured the terrifying moment rescuers battled to save a 12-year-old boy who was trapped underwater for more than nine minutes after his leg was caught in a lazy river's suction line.
Incredibly, the boy survived his ordeal – thanks to a man who kept him alive by performing underwater mouth-to-mouth until emergency services arrived, ABC15 reports.
The security footage shows two boys playing in the pool at the Avista Resort in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, on March 19.
The security footage shows two boys playing in the pool at the Avista Resort in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
They pried the safety grate and the 12-year-old is seen repeatedly diving into the hole to explore the suction pipe – but then his leg becomes stuck.
His friend tries in vain to free the boy – but then calls out to nearby adults for help.
A number of adults are seen jumping into the pool to attempt to pull the boy out – with one man performing underwater mouth-to-mouth.
Officers from North Myrtle Beach police department were called to the scene at around 9.30pm and pulled the boy from the pool before beginning CPR.
The 12-year-old boy's friend tries in vain to free him – then calls out to nearby adults for help
A man performs underwater mouth-to-mouth to keep the boy alive until emergency responders arrived on the scene on March 19
He was taken to hospital after emergency services arrived at the scene.
Police said the boy is alive, but didn't reveal any further details about his condition.
The boy – who has not been identified – was described as four feet tall and weighing about 80 pounds in a police report on the incident.
It said officers were called to a possible drowning and upon arrival, found the boy 'stuck underwater in what is believed to be the intake pump to the lazy river.'
Police said the boy survived his ordeal, but didn't reveal any further details about his condition
The boy's leg was sucked into the six-inch suction line after a 3ft by 3ft grate covering it was removed
Another police report said the boy's leg was sucked into the six-inch suction line after a 3ft by 3ft grate covering it was removed, according to WMBF.
The Avista Resort describes itself as one of North Myrtle Beach's leading oceanfront hotels – and boasts indoor and outdoor pools as well as the lazy river.
DailyMail.com has contacted the resort for comment.
The Avista Resort in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, has a lazy river (pictured) for guests
The Avista Resort describes itself as one of North Myrtle Beach's leading oceanfront hotels
Most watched News videos
- Moment biker thinks he has found his buddy’s stolen dirt bike
- Moment a fan was viciously beaten by security after photo request
- Man beats his ex-girlfriend and attacks her hairdresser friend
- Sneak peak at the ABC documentary 'This is Farrah Fawcett'
- Crazed gunman storms into church and attacks worshippers
- Huawei P30 Pro users demonstrates the 50X superzoom
- Man is beaten and kicked in the face on the NY subway
- Halle Berry passionately plants a kiss on Lena Waithe
- Terrifying moment monster great white sharks attacks a small boat
- Moment an 'exhausted' baby elephant collapses on the streets
- Dashcam captures F-16 pilot ejecting from plane before crash
- Hospitality expert reacts to Jamie Oliver's restaurant chain collapse