A Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries officer is being praised as a hero after he rescued nine victims, including a 7-year-old girl from a boat that capsized near a beach in New Orleans.
On Saturday, Sgt. Stephen Rhodes was patrolling in Jefferson Parish at around 6:40 p.m. when he noticed a boat taking on water after it was trying to exit rock jetties, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries said in a press release. Rhodes hired a good Samaritan, who took him in an ATV to his truck where he was able to get his patrol vessel. He then took the vessel out to the capsized boat.
When Rhodes arrived at the scene, he discovered eight people on the boat’s hull and was soon able to get several of them onto his boat.
Rhodes was then told about the 7-year-old girl in the water. He immediately dive into the water and found the girl unresponsive under the capsized boat, and brought her out, while another boat held his.
Rhodes then revived the girl by performing CPR on her.
The rescued individuals were transported to the Bridgeside Marina, where paramedics were there to treat them. The girl was stabilized and taken via airlift to the Children’s Hospital in New Orleans. The agency said she is expected to fully recover.
“We are extremely proud of the actions of Sgt. Rhodes. He did an exceptional job of using good judgment and his training to help save the life of this young girl and the other occupants in the capsized vessel,” LDWF Col. Chad Hebert said in a statement. “Would also like to thank all of the good Samaritans that assisted in this successful rescue. Sgt. Rhodes was on patrol by himself and these good Samaritans helped him perform this rescue faster. That time saved probably made it possible to resuscitate the young girl.”
