La Paz beach rescue on July 10, 2025, pulled a 3-year-old from the water beside the City Express Hotel. Quick action by swimmers and SAMU paramedics kept him alive.
A 3-year-old boy owes his life to quick-thinking swimmers and first responders after he began to drown on the afternoon of Thursday, July 10, 2025, at a beach next to the City Express Hotel in La Paz, Baja California Sur. Witnesses spotted the child struggling in waist-deep water at around 4:00 p.m. and acted without hesitation.
Municipal Police officers and paramedics from the SAMU group arrived within minutes of the emergency call. They found the boy’s mother, a 28-year-old woman, on the shore, shaken but coherent. She told officers that her son had slipped beneath the waves while playing in the water.
Several bystanders waded in to grab the child and carry him to dry sand. One swimmer, who asked to remain anonymous, said he saw the boy’s arms flail under the current. “I jumped in immediately,” he recalled. “I reached him just as he sank for the second time.” Two others helped pull the boy clear of the water.
Meanwhile, SAMU paramedics set up a triage area on the beach. They conducted a rapid assessment and treated the boy for water inhalation and early signs of hypothermia. Under a code yellow alert—used for moderate emergencies—the team placed the child on a stretcher and transported him to Salvatierra Hospital.
At the hospital, pediatric doctors took over. They ran tests to rule out respiratory infection and monitored his vital signs. While authorities have not released his current condition, hospital sources say he remains under observation and is expected to recover fully.
Local officials praised the rescue. Lieutenant José Navarro of the Municipal Police noted how vital civilian involvement can be in emergencies. “Those swimmers made all the difference,” he said. “Their courage bought us the time we needed.” Municipal representatives plan to recognize the unnamed rescuers in a public ceremony next week.
This incident underscores the importance of water safety, especially where beaches lie close to highways and hotels. The City Express Hotel management released a statement reminding guests to watch children at all times. They also promised to install additional warning signs and lifebuoy stations along the shore.
In recent years, La Paz has seen a rise in visitors drawn by its scenic coastal highway and clear waters. With family tourism booming, authorities urge parents to use life jackets and stay within designated swimming areas. The municipal Department of Ecology and Environment is reviewing plans to set up a volunteer lifeguard program ahead of next year’s high season.
Residents said they were relieved the boy survived. Nearby shop owner Rosa Martínez, who witnessed the rescue, said she feared the worst. “I’ve never been so scared,” she admitted. “But seeing those swimmers dive in gave me hope.”
