A four-year-old boy is in critical condition after nearly drowning in a cruise ship pool, according to the Broward Sheriff's Office.
Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas had just left Port Everglades in Broward County, Florida, Saturday afternoon when BSO detectives said the child wandered away from his mother on the 15th deck. The mother searched for her child but did not see him enter the ship's wave pool, where he was swept under water.
A passenger spotted the child submerged in the pool. BSO spokesman Mike Jachles said bystanders pulled the unconcious boy from the pool and began CPR.
"Somehow he was swept under and was in the water anywhere from five to ten minutes," Jachles said. "He was not breathing, did not have a pulse."
Jachles also said the boy was in full cardiac arrest. The on-board medical team revived the boy and determined that he required additional medical attention. The ship altered its course and returned to Fort Lauderdale.
The child was transported to Broward Health Medical Center, where he is in intensive care. Officials said he is in a medically-induced coma.
Authorities have not identified the child. A spokesperson with Royal Caribbean said the family was on vacation from Italy.
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"Royal Caribbean's Care Team is providing support to the guest's family and our thoughts and prayers are with them," the company said in a statement.
Oasis of the Seas was cleared to once again leave Port Everglades after the on-board investigation was finished Saturday night.
