Boston Duck Boat Captains Rescue Toddler and Father from River: 'He Was in Such a Panic'

Mar. 15, 2025

Two local duck boat captains saved the day after a man and his young child fell into the Charles River in Boston.

Per the outlet, the Massachusetts State Police said their investigation indicated “the child squeezed through the railing,” and that afterwards, “the child’s father jumped into the river” to get to his child.

Representatives from the Massachusetts State Police did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

DUCK tour on the Charles River, Leonard P. Zakim Bunker Hill Memorial Bridge (Zakim Bridge) and Charles River, Boston, Massachusetts USA.Sergi Reboredo/VW Pics/Universal Images Group via Getty

Sergi Reboredo/VW Pics/Universal Images Group via Getty

As for what happened next, Rosario told WCVB that his co-captain threw out a life ring, and was able to get a ladder lowered down to him, but that the father still need some additional help.

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PerABC News, at the time the pair entered the water, the Boston Duck Tours boat was conducting scheduled safety drills. “This is crazy. This is happening while we’re doing training. Now we’re doing real-life rescue,” Rosario told the outlet.

Director of marketing for Boston Duck Tours, Tom Vigna, expressed his happiness that the tour team was able to save the two. “We were happy to be in the right place at the right time,” he said, per the outlet.

The incident is currently under investigation, authorities said.

source: people.com