Quick and courageous action by a bystander and a firefighter EMT rescued two girls who had drifted out onto Lake Mary Thursday in an inflatable raft that overturned.
Twin Lakes Police Fire Dispatch Center received numerous 9-1-1 calls regarding swimmers in distress on Lake Mary at about 6:05 p.m., a press release issued by the Police Department said.
Investigation revealed that two girls, aged 10 and 11, both of Twin Lakes, had gone out on Lake Mary on an inflatable raft from the 500 block of Wilmot Avenue. The girls took the raft out about 200 yards from shore, when the raft tipped over.
Neither girl was a strong swimmer nor were they wearing personal floatation devices, police said. Both girls began struggling in the water and screaming for help.
Brian Walmsley, an area neighbor who was doing yard work, had heard the cries for help. Walmsley immediately jumped into the water, while still partially clothed and swam to assist the girls, police said.
Ron Redlin, the first Twin Lakes Firefighter/EMT to arrive on the scene also jumped into the water, assisting Walmsley in getting the girls safely to shore.
Both girls were monitored on scene by rescue personal who determined there were no injuries. No transport to the hospital was made and both girls were released to their parents.
“The quick actions by both Brian Walmsley and Firefighter/EMT Ron Redlin, without regard for their own personal safety, lead to the rescue of these two girls and in all likelihood, saving the girls’ lives,” said Chief Dale Racer.
