safety
Off-duty firefighters save 5-year-old boy from drowning at Lauderdale-by-the-Sea hotel pool
By Morgan Rynor at CBS4 Miami
· June 9, 2026
· 3 min read
A five-year-old boy drowned at a hotel pool in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, but in a stroke of fate, two off-duty firefighters were there and immediately got to work."It was the worst day of my life, the worst and the best day of my life because my baby got saved, but the feeling, as a father, as a parent
Key takeaway "It was the worst day of my life, the worst and the best day of my life because my baby got saved, but the feeling, as a father, as a parent, I'm just thankful," Tyonne Nelson said.
Why this matters in The Miami
The dramatic rescue of a 5-year-old boy from drowning at a Lauderdale-by-the-Sea hotel pool is a stark reminder of the importance of water safety in South Florida. As a region prone to Atlantic hurricanes and sea-level rise, flooding risks are already a concern for Miami-Dade County residents. However, pool safety is a more immediate and preventable hazard, particularly during summer months when children are on break and families gather at beaches and pools. The fact that two off-duty firefighters happened to be at the scene and were able to administer CPR in time underscores the value of having trained responders in the community. As the boy's family has now enrolled him in swim lessons, it highlights the need for water safety education and awareness in Miami's diverse communities, including Little Havana, Wynwood, and Miami Beach, where families often gather at pools and beaches during the summer.
About this story
Original reporting by CBS4 Miami . The Miami surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit CBS4 Miami . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: June 9, 2026 ·
Source: CBS4 Miami ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A five-year-old boy drowned at a hotel pool in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, but in a stroke of fate, two off-duty firefighters were there and immediately got to work."It was the worst day of my life, the worst and the best day of my life because my baby got saved, but the feeling, as a father, as a parent
When was this published? This article was first published on June 9, 2026 by CBS4 Miami and curated for The Miami readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Morgan Rynor at CBS4 Miami. To learn more about how The Miami selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Miami, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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