Police Drone Spots Child Trapped In Pond As Officers Rush In For Dramatic Water Rescue

Police officers rescued a child from a pond on the Greater East Side after a good Samaritan called 911 on Monday afternoon after spotting the child in the water and appearing to struggle to get out.

Saint Paul Police immediately launched a docked drone flown by a trained officer. The drone reached the scene two minutes before officers arrived and provided essential information about the child’s location and status.

The drone footage shows the child’s head and shoulders visible in a small open patch of dark, algae-covered water. An officer then wades into the opening, reaches the child and begins moving toward the bank.

A second officer pulls the child from the water into the vegetation, with other personnel and equipment visible on dry ground.

According to the child’s family, the child has autism and had wandered away from home without their knowledge.

Police said their ability to quickly locate the child and guide officers using the docked drone resources resulted in a positive outcome.