Two brothers and their sister are speaking out after helping save a young boy from drowning in a Florida lake.
The incident happened Sunday evening, Sept. 28, on the 3000 block of Holiday Springs Boulevard in Margate, according to WSVN.
Alexander Castelo, 35, said he rushed into the water at the Villas on The Green after hearing a woman’s cries and spotting the 6-year-old floating face down, WPLG reported.
His younger brother, Jonathan, 31, quickly joined him, helping to pull the child from the lake. Alexander then began chest compressions — a skill he first learned as a Boy Scout in his teens.
“A lot of vomit, a lot of fluid started coming out of his mouth, but he was completely unresponsive,” recalled Alexander, who was born in Ecuador.
Their sister Amy immediately called 911 while their wives, Jessica and Theresa, relayed details to emergency dispatchers, according to WPLG. The boy’s mother stood by as Alexander worked to revive her son.
Jessica later walked to Holiday Springs Boulevard to guide first responders to the scene. Paramedics thanked Alexander when they arrived.
“I felt some relief when I heard him cry with fire rescue,” Alexander said, adding that the weight of the moment didn’t sink in until later that day.
The siblings told WPLG they see the rescue as divine intervention. Just before the incident, their family had celebrated the baptism of a 4-month-old baby.
“I believe that God allowed us to be there to help this kid and that gives me an outlook that there is something out there guiding us,” Alexander explained.
As of Monday, Sept. 29, the boy remained in critical condition, according to WSVN.
Now, the family says they are praying for his recovery. “We really hope he makes it and he is well,” Alexander said, WPLG reported.
