Dad Promptly Jumps Over Pool Fence To Rescue Drowning One-Year-Old In Water

Oct 28, 2020 by apost team

Parents will do anything for their children, helping them to grow and become who they are meant to be in this world. The story of Albert Passavanti, a father from West Palm Beach, Florida leaping over a 4-foot-fence to save his one-and-a-half-year-old son from drowning exemplifies the love that parents feel for their children.

Albert Passavanti of West Palm Beach was enjoying a perfect day with his family and friends when tragedy almost struck. Relaxing on a porch as his wife and older child played in a nearby pool, Albert’s idyllic day was almost shattered when his youngest son, one-and-a-half-year-old Rocco, fell into the pool.

According to CNN, the adults had thought that the area was safe as the pool was surrounded by a four-foot-tall fence. However, in a moment of inattentiveness, the adults forgot to lock the fence’s gate. Drawn by a large, colorful beachball that sat in the middle of the water, Rocco ran past the safety gate and jumped into the water.

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After just a few moments, the young toddler was underwater. But before anyone could react, Albert was already soaring through the air diving over the fence into the pool to save his son. Albert's security camera captured the incident as it played out. He dove over the fence and snatched his son up from the pool and brought him to the ledge for safety, you can hear Rocco crying but all is well as Albert comforts him.   

The security recording of Albert’s rescue of Rocco has become a viral hit, having been watched over 11,000,000 times on Youtube. In an interview, Albert told WPTV reporters about the moment he realized his son was drowning. 

"The second you see it, you get Superman strength and just have to go for it. Whatever you got to do," he said. 

When asked about his graceful leap over the fence, Albert added that he never even considered using the gate during the incident, saying that his objective was his son, and nothing would stop him from saving him.

Admitting that not locking the gate was a big mistake, Albert also warned other parents to make sure they take all the necessary safety measures to protect their children. "You’ve got these preventative measures, make sure you use them properly,” he said. 

Shockingly, the American Academy of Pediatrics says that drowning is the leading cause of death among children ages one to four, having claimed the lives of nearly a thousand kids in 2017.

What do you think of Albert’s heroic rescue of Rocco? Have you ever had to do anything extraordinary to help any of the kids in your life? Tell us in the comments and be sure to send this article to friends or family so they can be informed about toddler safety and pools.