Trending Topics

Video: Fla. police officer rescues 3 swimmers caught in deadly rip current

Frantic bodycam video shows Officer John Rose helping three swimmers board his boat, one of whom sadly died

Fort Lauderdale Police Department

Fort Lauderdale Police Department

By Suzie Ziegler

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Fort Lauderdale Police Officer John Rose was credited with rescuing three swimmers caught in a rip current earlier this month. Despite his efforts, one of the swimmers sadly died.

“The ocean was very choppy, very rough that day,” Rose recalled while speaking with 7News.

Urgent bodycam video from a police boat shows Rose helping the swimmers get on board.

“Come on, just push on the door, push on the door. Can you get in? Come on, guys,” Rose told the swimmers.

One of the swimmers was in serious condition and needed to be pulled onto the boat, Rose said. Just then a Broward County Sheriff’s boat arrived with a deputy who immediately began CPR.

Realizing the situation was critical, Rose anchored his boat in a sandbar to allow lifeguards and other first responders to help.

“What I decided to do was beach the boat, because fire rescue was already right here in front of me, and for me to run all the way inland would have taken another 10 minutes,” he said.

One swimmer ultimately died, and the other two have since been released from the hospital, according to 7News.

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU