Off-duty Maryland firefighter hailed as hero after rescuing baby at state park

OAKLAND, Md. — An off-duty volunteer firefighter is being hailed as a hero after he rescued a baby while swimming at a Maryland park.

According to the Oakland Volunteer Fire Department, one of its firefighters, Andrew Bell, heard a woman shouting as he swam at Swallow Falls State Park while off-duty on Sunday. 

"A raft that a baby was floating on had flipped over, and the baby went into the water," the department said in a Facebook post Sunday night. 

Bell quickly found the baby, who was unconscious, the Cumberland Times-News reported. 

"I put it on its back for a little bit, and it started spitting up water," Bell told the newspaper. 

Bell then called an ambulance and continued to help the family until rescue crews arrived, the Fire Department said.

"It's our understanding that baby is going to be OK," the department added. "Great work, FF Bell!"

Bell told the Times-News that even though he wasn't on duty at the time of the incident, it was still his "duty to go help that person."

Read more here or here.

Cox Media Group