Boy, 8, reported missing for several minutes was found unconscious in Walterboro swimming pool: CCFR

WALTERBORO, S.C. (WCBD) – An 8-year-old boy who had been reported missing for several minutes was found unconscious Sunday morning in a nearby swimming pool.

Colleton County Fire Rescue responded to a home on Whetsel Street in the Walterboro area around 7:30 a.m. after receiving reports about the child.

The victim, an 8-year-old autistic boy, had been reported missing about 10 minutes earlier from a home located on Springwood Drive, just a few blocks away.

“The man who discovered the boy pulled him from the water, had his wife call 9-1-1, and immediately began performing CPR,” said Colleton County Fire Rescue.

Walterboro officers and Colleton County deputies were already in the area searching for the missing child and quickly responded to the scene to begin life-saving measures until firefighter-paramedics arrived.

“The child was in cardiac arrest and responders initiated advanced resuscitative efforts at the scene, including airway management, suction, CPR, and medications,” Fire-Rescue officials said.

The boy was taken to Colleton County Medical Center where resuscitative efforts continued for about 45 minutes. Officials said the child did not respond to the care and passed away.

Fire-Rescue said it was not clear how long the child was in the water before he was found.

The Walterboro Police Department is investigating.