Posted on 04/13/2008 8:59:24 PM PDT by SmithL
A Marine Corps sergeant from Brentwood prevented a tragedy Sunday, when he pulled an 8-year-old girl from the bottom of an apartment complex swimming pool.
Miguel Hinojosa is being heralded by police and fire officials for his quick actions, which they say saved the child's life.
Around 2 p.m., dispatchers received a call that a girl who was not breathing had been pulled from the bottom of a pool at an apartment complex at 2400 Shady Willow Lane in Brentwood.
East Contra Costa Fire District Battalion Chief Jeff Burris said the pool was crowded, and that he believes the girl's parents were present.
"It only takes a second," Burris said. "I have a 9-year-old, and you can turn around for a second and they'll disappear."
Brentwood police said the near-drowning appears to be accidental, and they are not conducting an investigation.
Hinojosa, who was at the pool on a hot, 90-degree day, pulled the girl out and immediately began CPR.
"This is a classic story of the right person being somewhere at the right time," Burris said.
Hinojosa could not be reached for comment Sunday, but Burris said his department is going to recommend the Marine receive an official accolade for his actions.
Burris said that when paramedics arrived, Hinojosa had been performing CPR for "at least two or three minutes," and that the girl was already breathing on her own. Responding units from both East Contra Costa fire and Contra Costa Fire District then took over.
"There's no question, he absolutely saved her life," Burris said.
The girl, whose name was not released, was taken by helicopter to Children's Hospital Oakland, where her condition was not known.
"It's just a fantastic rescue by a fine young Marine," Burris said.
USMC Ping
Well done, Sgt. Hinojosa.
OooohRahhh! Way to go Marine!
I can tell that Marine has had some good training.
The idea of Brentwood being developed....was all farm country when I grew up in Contra Costa Co.
Seeno roof tops from Concord to Fairfield and everywhere in between....amazing.
He will savor this accomplishment all his life! Well done Marine!
Semper Fi!
According to one member of the County Commission of Berkeley: This Marine probably forgot to fill her feet in concrete shoes.
Gah, I hate their treatment of OUR(yes Berkeley, OUR. Just like George W. Bush is OUR President. Simple, huh?) Marines. The Berkeley County Commission needs to all be run out of town and exiled to some island somewhere. I prefer one of those islands that are still populated by people who eat human flesh.
I know nothing about CA geography and was going to ask if this occurance was in Biz-erckley.
any chance we could ask the marines to solve world hunger, they seem to be able to do everything else... :D
bravo sir...i guess the marines still make them like they used to...
hero ping...
Alameda County is home to Oakland, Berkeley, and the University of California. The Caldecott tunnel separates Alameda from Contra Costa County and the rest of the USA.
A bump for our brave heroes!
Sgt Hinojosa is one of my Marines, and he is now my biggest Hero. And yes I’ll be putting him in for a Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal. All ready working on it.
Bravo Zulu my friend.
As was told to me by the fire cheif:
Right man, in the right place, with the right training, doing the right thing for the right reason.
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