Off-Duty Acton Fire Chief Helps Save Nearly Drowned Boy

ACTON, MA — Acton Fire Chief Robert Hart is being praised for his actions off the clock on Monday. Hart was driving near his home in Shirley when he stopped to help save a boy who had nearly drowned.

Hart noticed a group of people gathered on the side of Lawton Road and thought it looked like an accident. When got a closer look he saw the four-year-old boy receiving CPR from a bystander after being found face down in a pool moments earlier.

Chief Hart learned that the boy's mother, who had gone inside the home momentarily while the boy was swimming, found him and carried him out to the front of the home to find help.

Hart grabbed the Automatic External Defibrillator and an oxygen mask he had in his car and helped a bystander who, despite having no training beyond what she'd seen in movies, performed CPR effectively. Another bystander helped Chief Hart in administering oxygen to the boy.

"I'm grateful to live among such caring people as the ones who assisted a child in need today. Each one of those bystanders are true heroes," Chief Hart said. "My heart goes out to the boy's family, and I'm hopeful for the best possible outcome."

Shirley Police and Shirley and Ayer Fire crews arrived on scene a short time later and began providing aid themselves. The boy was taken to Nashoba Valley Medical Center and later flown by medical helicopter to a Boston hospital.