Gripping Video Shows Water Rescue of Infant, Toddler

Both children are expected to be OK
By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff
Posted May 2, 2017 11:43 AM CDT

Gripping video out of Texas shows bystanders frantically trying to rescue a family with two young children who were stuck in a truck that had overturned in a fast-moving stream shortly after tornadoes hit the state Saturday. After struggling to get into the car, where the backseat was submerged underwater, finally the infant is brought forth—but limp. "This baby is gonna die if we don’t start CPR fast," Tom Mitchell, who was the one shooting the video, recalls to KHOU. He put his phone, still recording audio, in his pocket as he started trying to resuscitate the baby, and a woman nearby can be heard praying over and over: "Dear Jesus, please let this baby breathe."

The infant was revived, and first responders helped to rescue and revive the toddler, Fox 4 reports. The family posted updates on social media reporting that the baby boy is doing well and his older sister is now awake and breathing on her own. On Tuesday, they came forward to give KHOU an on-camera update: Phillip and Emily Ocheltree said they were trying to get to a tornado shelter when the accident occurred, and while they had air in the front seat, they knew their children were underwater and begged rescuers to help them first. Their 4-month-old son Marshal is already out of the hospital and their 18-month-old daughter Addison is in stable condition and is expected to be OK; Phillip Ocheltree posted a video of Addy awake and eating on Tuesday. (More uplifting news stories.)

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