Galveston’s police chief said two of the officers were pulled underwater and remained submerged for at least a minute and a half.
GALVESTON, Texas — Two Galveston police officers were hospitalized Wednesday after a swift-water training exercise turned into a real-life emergency, according to Galveston Police Chief Doug Balli.
He said the officers nearly drowned before they were pulled out of the water.
The training was happening at Galveston’s Schlitterbahn Waterpark.
During the exercise, Balli said an officer lost their footing and several people went down.
He said two of the officers were pulled underwater and remained submerged for at least a minute and a half.
Both of them swallowed water, and one of them needed CPR at the scene.
“They were fighting to get back up, … and took water into their lungs. One of the members was brought out of the water as soon as they could get him out,” Balli said.
One officer was rushed to a nearby hospital via police vehicle, while the other was taken by ambulance.
Balli said both officers were stable, and he credited the fast action by fellow first responders for saving their lives.
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