DALLAS — Two children out for a day at an East Dallas public pool with their church group were in critical condition Tuesday afternoon after nearly drowning.
The boys, ages six and seven, were on a field trip with 55 other children at the Samuell-Grand Swimming Pool in the 3200 block of Samuell Boulevard. The two boys were reportedly playing a game where they dared each other to hold their breath underwater.
A lifeguard saw there was something wrong with the boys and cleared the pool before diving in and pulling them out of the water.
It is unclear how long they were under water.
The lifeguard performed CPR on the boys, but the six-year-old was not breathing when paramedics arrived.
Ambulances were called, and the seven-year-old was taken to Children's Medical Center, while the six-year-old was taken to Baylor University Medical Center. Police said both were in critical condition, but a representative of St. Luke "Community" United Methodist Church told News 8 the children will be okay.
Their names have not been released.
Frank Librio, a spokesman for the City of Dallas, said there were four lifeguards and a pool manager on duty at the time of incident. An American Red Cross lifeguard trainer was also present, and she administered CPR.
Librio said the pool's staff followed established protocol and preliminary information idicates they responded appropriately.
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