Boys found unresponsive in pools

Two boys in Deerfield Beach and Hollywood were taken to hospitals Saturday after each was found unresponsive and underwater in a backyard pool, fire-rescue officials said.

One of them, a boy between the age of 7 and 9, was in critical condition at Broward Health Medical Center early Saturday evening after being airlifted from a Deerfield Beach residence in the 600 block of Northwest Second Terrace, according to Mike Jachles, Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue spokesman.

The near-drowning victim was dis- covered at the bottom of the pool early Saturday evening when children who were visiting the house were cleared from the pool, Jachles said.

Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue responded to the house and immediately began resuscitation on the child, Jachles said.

The Broward sheriff’s air rescue helicopter then was called to take the child to Broward Health Medical Center in Fort Lauderdale, he said.

“Firefighter-paramedics began vanced-life-support measures,” chles said.

In an earlier incident Saturday afternoon, a 6-year-old boy was taken to Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, adJa- said Hollywood Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Chris Del Campo.

He was visiting a residence in Hollywood when the near-drowning happened in the 4300 block of Thomas Street, according to neighbors. Hollywood Fire Rescue were called to the house at 3:55 p.m.

By the time the boy arrived at the hospital, he was showing signs that he was no longer unconscious, Del Campo said. No one answered the door at the Hollywood residence after public-safety personnel had left. Ageggis@tribpub.com or 561-243-6624