Teen Critical After Near-Drowning in Backyard Pool

A 17-year-old boy is listed in critical condition at Hackensack University Medical Center after he was pulled from a swimming pool at a Madison Avenue home at approximately 3:30 p.m. Saturday, police said.

The homeowner, Scott Brown, reportedly saw the victim begin to have difficulties while swimming in the deep end of the pool and pulled him from the water while police were called, Chief Frank Papapietro said Saturday afternoon.

Papapietro said the teen was visiting the house along with other guests.

"Police arrived just as the victim had been pulled from the pool by the homeowner," Papapietro said. "The victim did not have a pulse and was unconscious."

Lt. John O’Malley, Officers Justin Pisano and George Herrero and Brown performed CPR which initially restored his pulse, but the victim did not regain consciousness when EMS arrived, Papapietro said.

According to Papapietro, the victim was rushed to Hackensack Medical Center, where he is listed in critical condition. 

Papapietro did not know if any other guests were in the pool at the time.

"We are still investigating exactly what happened and why, on a cold, rainy day like today, anyone would be swimming," Papapietro said.

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