Video shows boy’s rescue by good Samaritan at Lake Pueblo
Celeste Springer
LAKE PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) – What could have been a tragedy at Lake Pueblo turned into a life saved, thanks to the quick actions of one man who dove in to rescue a young boy swept into deep water.
RELATED: Why do so many keep drowning in Lake Pueblo?
Witnesses shared video with KRDO13 as a bystander, Joseph Chacon, carried a boy back to shore after strong winds began to carry him far out from safety on Thursday.
Joseph Chacon says he was fishing with a friend when he noticed a little boy drifting hundreds of yards from shore. Moments later, he heard the boy scream for help.
“Once he jumped off the floatie, he screamed, ‘Help.’ And that’s when I decided to just grab the lifejacket and head in there, because I didn’t see anybody else going yet. So I just went in myself,” Taccone told KRDO13.
Thankfully, the boy was wearing a lifejacket. Chacon and his friend Howie Chappell say another man, presumably his dad, tried to go out to save him, but was not wearing a lifejacket and struggled to reach the boy.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) said they are aware of the video; however, at the time of the event, no one called it in to them.
They want to remind people of the importance of calling 911 or *CSP immediately if you ever see something similar. The phone call could mean the difference between life or death.
“Additionally, we encourage everyone to use the buddy system and recreate with a friend, and to always watch the weather conditions closely before heading out on the lake,” said Joe Stadterman, park manager. They encourage everyone to wear a lifejacket while swimming.
There are also lifejacket loaner stations at Lake Pueblo State Park. CPW noted that the boy in the video appeared to be wearing a loaner jacket based on the design on the back. The jacket could have helped prevent the situation from escalating even more.
CPW wants to remind everyone of the following “Know Before You Go” tips (pictured below), which are posted on signs near the boat ramps:
