Indio Officers Rescue Teen Who Fell In Canal While Rescuing Dog

INDIO, CA — Officers from the Indio Police Department rescued an 18-year-old Saturday who fell in a canal while trying to rescue his dog.

Officers responded to a report of a possible drowning around 12:30 p.m. Saturday in the canal near the intersection of Golf Center Parkway and Avenue 42. The initial call reported that a child may have fallen into the canal, but upon arrival officers located the 18-year-old man submerged in the water.

One of the responding officers immediately entered the canal and pulled the unresponsive teen to the surface. The officer began administering chest compressions and the man eventually regained consciousness and became alert, police said.

Officers learned that the victim had fallen into the canal while trying to rescue his German Shepherd, who had also fallen in. Cal Fire personnel responded to the scene and successfully rescued the dog, who appeared alert and uninjured, according to Indio police.

The teen was taken to a hospital by ambulance for further evaluation, but appeared to have stable vital signs according to officers.

— City News Service