Near drowning at DC pool leaves 2 adults in critical condition

2 adults hospitalized after nearly drowning in DC pool

Two people are in the hospital after nearly drowning at a D.C. pool Thursday afternoon. Their condition is still serious. FOX 5 reporter Nana-Sentuo Bonsu was at the pool shortly after the incident. She has more with a bystander – who helped save their lives

WASHINGTON - A man and a woman nearly drowned at a Northeast pool Thursday evening, and according to authorities, both are currently in critical condition.

Just after 5 p.m., D.C. police said they were called to assist D.C. Fire and EMS at the Theodore Hagans outdoor pool — located at 3201 Fort Lincoln Drive Northeast.

Theodore Hagans outdoor pool in Northeast, D.C.

Jermaine Hunter, a Good Samaritan who happened to be swimming at the time of the incident, dipped his head under the water and says he saw two people unconscious.

"In the corner of the pool, at the deepest end of the pool, there were two bodies there," Hunter recalled. "They were kinda hugged up a bit."

The man and the woman were drowning in almost 10 feet of water.

Hunter says the lifeguards jumped in, pulled the bodies out, and that's when he jumped out of the pool – to help with CPR.

"I started on the young lady, and then the lifeguard started working on her. Then I went over to the guy," Hunter said.

Man, woman suffer critical injuries in near drowning at DC pool

A man and a woman nearly drowned at a Northeast pool Thursday evening, and according to authorities, both are currently in critical condition. FOX 5's Nana-Sentuo Bonsu spoke to D.C. Fire and EMS about their life-saving efforts.

The Fort Lincoln resident told FOX 5 he is a CPR instructor.

"Your instincts kick in," he said.

As Hunter, the lifeguards and other swimmers were giving the two adults chest compressions, D.C. Fire and EMS arrived.

Once first responders got a hold of the victims, D.C. Fire and EMS Public Information Officer Vito Maggiolo said the man and woman were resuscitated. Both were then transported by helicopter to a local hospital.

"You hope you never have to do this, because its emotional but at the same time you’re happy that you knew what to do and gave somebody a chance," Hunter said. "The lifeguards have to be commended too. They're young kids. They jumped in the space and got moving. It was a team effort."

The Theodore Hagans pool is frequented by members of the Fort Lincoln community. The pool is one of three outdoor pools in Ward 5.

This is a developing story. Check back with FOX 5 for updates.