Off Duty Hillsborough Sheriff’s Deputy Saves 3-Year-Old Boy From Drowning At Waterpark In Indian Rocks Beach
August 16, 2017
Pinellas deputies are investigating the near drowning of a 3-year-old boy after an off duty Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office corrections deputy pulled the unresponsive boy from a pool in a water park and performed CPR, saving the boy’s life.
As earlier reported, the near drowning occurred at about 4:45 PM on Saturday, August 13, 2016 at the Splash Harbour Water Park located at 321 2nd Street.
According to deputies, 3-year-old Michael Andrews of St. Petersburg was found by a witness floating motionless under the water in the lazy river at the water park.
Off duty Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Detention Deputy, Habib Hanze was frequenting the water park when he heard the witness calling for help. Hanze responded and helped to pull Andrews out of the pool.
Hanze determined that Andrews was unresponsive and was not breathing so he immediately started CPR.
Hanze continued with CPR until he successfully resuscitated Andrews.
Paramedics responded from Pinellas Suncoast Fire & Rescue and Sunstar Paramedics and treated Andrews at the scene. He was transported to All Children’s Hospital for non-life threatening injuries.
Deputies determined that the child’s mother, 23 year-old Janesha Simmons, had lost sight of Andrews for six to seven minutes. She thought that Andrews was being supervised by another family member at the water park.
Deputies do not suspect foul play or negligence in this case