Toddler Saved From Drowning At Backyard Pool In South Jersey

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, NJ — A toddler was saved from drowning at a backyard swimming pool Tuesday in Gloucester County.

A 2-year-old became unconscious in the pool around 6:15 p.m. in Washington Township.

Someone at the scene called 911, and CPR instructions were provided over the phone. As the rescue unfolded, county 911 dispatchers alerted police about the incident at the Spring Lake Avenue home.

A Washington Township police officer and members of the fire department arrived within two minutes, according to Police Chief Patrick Gurcsik. The officer determined the child was alert and conscious, so he advised other units to slow down their response.

The child was brought to Cooper University Hospital in Camden as a precaution.

"Thanks to the swift response from first responders, and the quick action of those at the scene, a potential tragedy was averted," Gurcsik said.

In recent days, several people have drowned at residential pools in New Jersey. A 5-year-old boy and a 40-year-old man both died in Wayne after separate incidents, and a 19-year-old in Clifton was hospitalized.

Drowning is the second leading cause of death for children ages 5 to 14, following car accidents, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 4.