by Carolyne Volpe Curley / Carolyne@WestEssexNOW.com
Published 9:11am
Published 9:11am
FAIRFIELD, NJ - Fairfield Police Chief Anthony Manna reported today that a near fatal drowning of a 9-year-old boy was averted because of the quick actions of a LaQuinta hotel guest, Randolph Tajada-Perez, 37, from Hazelton, Pennsylvania.
Last night at about 6:37pm, all on-duty Fairfield officers responded to the hotel's pool area on reports of a boy who had been underwater in the pool. They were soon met by members of the West Essex First Aid Squad.
Last night at about 6:37pm, all on-duty Fairfield officers responded to the hotel's pool area on reports of a boy who had been underwater in the pool. They were soon met by members of the West Essex First Aid Squad.
"When the officers arrived, the boy was out of the water and CPR had been undertaken," Manna explained.
"The officers observed that the victim had a pulse
and was breathing on his own.
They administered oxygen and monitored his condition
until he was transported to St. Joseph’s Medical Center
by the West Essex First Aid Squad."
According to Manna, a family from Paterson, which included five children ranging in ages from 1 to 9-years old, were all in the shallow end of the pool together. At some point, the oldest began to struggle and eventually ended up under the water in the deep end of the pool. Neither of the adults, who had been focused on the younger children, knew how to swim and the male ran to the front desk to get assistance.
At that same time, Tajada-Perez was checking in at the front desk and without hesitation immediately responded to the pool area.
At that same time, Tajada-Perez was checking in at the front desk and without hesitation immediately responded to the pool area.
"Tajada-Perez, who himself does not know how to swim,
then jumped into the pool, and after a few attempts,
was able to go under water and
remove the child from the pool," Manna detailed.
As of Friday morning at 8:30am, the child was listed in stable condition.
"Anyone who has a fear of water and
is not comfortable swimming
can truly appreciate the bravery
displayed by this hero guest,
who conquered his own fears
to save the young life of another.
All of us at the police department
are extremely proud of him," Manna expressed.
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