‘I Jumped Into Action:’ Bystander Describes Pulling Young Boy From Creek

MURRAY, Utah — Murray Fire Department say a young boy, about 5 years old, fell into Little Cottonwood Creek in the park at 296 East Murray Park Avenue.

About 6:45 p.m. MFD responded to a call for a swift water rescue. When they arrived the boy, 4-5 years old, was already out of the river.

Assistant Chief Chad Pascua with Murray City Fire Department said the boy was at the park with his family and that he fell in when his mother turned around for a moment.

“One second she saw the child and the next she didn’t,” Pascua said.

The water carried him about a quarter-mile.

Pascua said an adult bystander, Harlan Wheeler, was able to pull the young boy out with the assistance of a police officer from the water.

“I think he risked his life to save this child and I think that defines a hero,” he said.

Wheeler said he saw the child face down in the water and knew he needed to act fast.

“I saw this object floating in the water,” he said. “I looked at it again and saw that it was a kid.”

He jumped in and had to swim a couple yards downstream to reach the boy.

Harlan Wheeler jumped in the water and saved a little boy at Murray Park. Emergency crews are calling him a hero. Hear his story at 10:00 on @KSL5TV pic.twitter.com/Pu3dgC4fEq

— Ashley Moser (@AshleyMoser) June 7, 2019

“I saw this object floating in the water,” he said. “I looked at it again and saw that it was a kid.”

He jumped in and had to swim a couple yards downstream to reach the boy.

It is estimated the child was in the water for up to two minutes and is in serious condition.

First responders are reminding parents to be vigilant.

“The river is flowing really really high,” Pascua said. “It’s really slippery around the edges and kids can fall in.”

The child has been transported to Intermountain Medical Center.

KSL TV’s Ashley Moser contributed to this report.