PHOENIX — A 5-year-old boy was rushed to a local hospital after being pulled from an apartment complex pool in west Phoenix. The child was unconscious and not breathing when pulled out of the water, Phoenix Fire Department officials said.
First responders were called to the apartment complex near 35th Avenue and Indian School Road just before 6:30 p.m. on Monday for reports of a drowning. Family members began CPR on the child before he was rushed to a nearby hospital in "extremely critical condition," fire officials said.
Phoenix police are currently investigating the scene.
This is a developing story. Information will be added here as it comes in.
MORE ON WATER SAFETY: 12News and Dave Munsey want you to watch your kids around water
Drowning Prevention Tips
Drowning is the leading cause of death for children between ages 1-4 aside from birth defects, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Three children die every day as a result of drowning. Here are some tips from the CDC on how to protect children around water:
Learn life-saving skills.
Everyone should know the basics of swimming (floating, moving through the water) and CPR.
Fence it off.
Install a four–sided isolation fence, with self–closing and self–latching gates, around backyard swimming pools. This can help keep children away from the area when they aren’t supposed to be swimming. Pool fences should be completely separate the house and play area from the pool.
Life jackets are a must.
Make sure kids wear life jackets in and around natural bodies of water, such as lakes or the ocean, even if they know how to swim. Life jackets can be used in and around pools for weaker swimmers too.
Keep a close watch.
When kids are in or near water (including bathtubs), closely supervise them at all times. Because drowning happens quickly and quietly, adults watching kids in or near water should avoid distracting activities like reading books, talking on the phone, or using alcohol and drugs.
Up to Speed
Catch up on the latest news and stories on the 12News YouTube channel. Subscribe today.