Watch Miami Police Officer Rescue Autistic Boy Drowning in River
A Miami police officer is being praised for his quick actions in preventing an autistic boy from drowning after the 10-year-old fell into a river Wednesday.
The rescue, which was captured on an officer's body-worn camera, happened at about 3:15 p.m. in the city's Allapattah neighborhood, WPLG-TV reports. Officer Ernie Fernandez was on patrol when he saw a boy walking along and then falling into the Miami River.
As the boy struggled in the water, Fernandez jumped into the river after him. The officer then was able to pull the child to safety.
The boy, 10, was rushed to hospital, and he is in good condition. Following the rescue, the boy's parents told police that their child was autistic.
Although it had a happy outcome, the incident deeply affected Fernandez, the officer told WPLG. He's the father of a child who also is autistic.
