An Atlantic City police officer rescued a boy caught in the water Thursday night.
Officers Darrell Catanio and Jonathan Walsh responded to the car of a swimmer screaming for help just after 8 p.m. in the ocean off South Carolina Avenue, Sgt. Kevin Fair said.
The 10-year-old boy from Philadelphia had got his foot stuck in a wood groin and could not free himself, according to the report. The water was chest-high and waves were crashing over the boy's head.
Catanio, a former member of the Atlantic City Beach Patrol, went into the water, and had to yank the boy's foot to get it out, then carried him to the closest Beach Patrol tent, where they were met by ambulance personnel, Fair said.
The boy was treated at the scene for an injury to his lower leg. Catanio was taken to the AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center's City Campus, where he was treated and released for an injury sustained during the rescue.
Police used the incident to remind residents and visitors not to go into the water unless there is a lifeguard on duty.
