Trending Topics

Off-duty Wash. fire captain rescues unconscious toddler from ocean while vacationing in Mexico

While dining with his family, Spokane Fire Capt. Kevin Smith spotted a mother and two children in distress and dove into action

Captain Kevin Smith

City of Spokane Fire Department/Facebook

By Helena Wegner
The News Tribune (Tacoma, Wash.)

SPOKANE, Wash. — A fire captain from Washington was vacationing in Mexico when he spotted a family struggling in the ocean, fire officials said.

Captain Kevin Smith then leapt into action to help them, the City of Spokane Fire Department said in an April 22 Facebook post.

Smith had been eating breakfast with his family at his hotel overlooking the water, fire officials said.

He rushed to the shoreline and realized a mother and her two children had been carried out to sea, and they “were struggling to stay afloat,” fire officials said.

The mother was rescued by the time he reached the shoreline, so he dove into the water to save the toddler, fire officials said.

He reached the unconscious child in “rough waters” and brought her back to safety where he gave her “rescue breaths” until she became conscious, officials said.

Another onlooker saved the second child.

“Firefighters are never truly off duty. Whether active, retired, or on vacation, they respond when needed,” the fire department said in the post.

“Please join us in recognizing Captain Smith for his courageous and selfless actions that undoubtedly saved the life of a helpless child caught in the ocean’s powerful grip,” fire officials said.

Trending
Fire and police agencies in Nashville, New Orleans, Toledo and Prince George’s County launched investigations and placed employees on leave after online comments about Kirk’s death
After reporting on smoke-linked illnesses and pressure from lawmakers, the agency will stock and provide N95s for light use, while still barring masks during arduous work
Fire service leaders and representatives from REV Group and Pierce testified about apparatus costs, delivery lead times and alleged anti-competitive practices
Follow a triaged response to what is posted and remember to discipline the behavior, not the content

© 2025 The News Tribune (Tacoma, Wash.). Visit www.TheNewsTribune.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.