Police officers, lifeguard sued by man they saved from drowning
A man has filed a lawsuit against the police officers and lifeguard who saved him from drowning in a public swimming pool.
Dramatic footage captured by a bystander shows Mateusz Fijalkowski lowering himself into Virginia public pool before waking to the deep end in front of a group of uniformed police officers on May 26, 2016.
Mr Fijalkowski, who was working as a pool attendant at the Riverside Apartments in Fairfax County at the time despite not knowing how to swim, was under water for more than two and a half minutes before a lifeguard entered the pool.
The now 23-year-old has since filed a lawsuit against the lifeguard and eight police officers, saying they took too long to help him, the Washington Post reports.
The lifeguard can be seen diving into the deep end before several police officers also jump in to drag him from the water.
An Emergency Medical Services report stated that unconscious Mr Fijalkowski received CPR until he was revived with an electronic defibrillator.
The Washington Post reported that Mr Fijalkowski was diagnosed with bipolar disorder following the incident and remained in hospital until June 8.
Mr Fijalkowski said he is pursuing legal action after incurring more than $130,000 in medical expenses following the 2016 incident.
Fairfax County Police Chief Edwin Roessler said that had officers or the lifeguard gone in earlier, they might have been dragged under the water themselves.
The man is believed to have entered the pool earlier, and police were already standing around the pool when he went in this time.
“They saved his life – he did not die,” Chief Roessler told the Washington Post.
“You’re going to sue someone for saving your life?”
If you are concerned about the mental health of yourself or a loved one, seek support and information by calling LifeLine on 13 11 14.
