Firefighter’s Quick Response Saves Three Children from Drowning
July 10, 2026
A serene Fourth of July on Alvarado Park Lake in Texas took a dramatic turn when a boating incident endangered the lives of three children. Fortunately, an off-duty firefighter’s timely intervention averted a potential tragedy.
Jason Horne / Credit: KENS5.com
Jason Horne, a seasoned firefighter and medic with the Midlothian Fire Department, was enjoying the holiday with his 12-year-old daughter, Emilie, when sudden distress calls from fellow boaters caught his attention. A boat, carrying nine individuals, had capsized, leaving three children trapped beneath its hull.
According to Emilie, “I just saw him dive in.” Wasting no time, Horne plunged into action, swimming towards the overturned vessel before emergency teams could arrive.
Despite poor visibility underwater, Horne made several courageous dives. “I went underwater, under the boat, reached up, seeing if I could grab anything, and I felt a life jacket,” he recounted. He succeeded in rescuing a young boy, who was still breathing, and then re-entered the water, bringing up a young girl who required immediate CPR.
Standing atop the capsized boat, Horne administered CPR, successfully reviving the girl. With one child still missing, he continued his search amid murky water conditions. As other boaters assisted in flipping the vessel, the final child emerged, entangled in anchor line rope. “He had a bunch of anchor line rope wrapped around his body,” Horne noted.
The boy was not breathing, but Horne’s quick actions restored his pulse. All three children were subsequently transported to a nearby hospital for further evaluation.
Recognizing the valiant efforts of Horne, the Alvarado Police Department commended, “We are incredibly grateful for the courageous and selfless actions of the off-duty firefighter whose immediate response made a critical difference during this emergency. His willingness to act without hesitation exemplifies the very best of the public safety profession.”
In addition to Horne’s heroics, the collaborative efforts of bystanders and first responders were also acknowledged.
An emotional Horne, a father of four, reflected on the incident, saying, “I was trying to keep myself together after it was over. I had a little emotional moment in the boat when it was just me and my wife. It’s a little emotional now.”
Expressing gratitude for being in the right place at the right time, Horne remarked, “I’m glad that whatever lined up, lined up that we were where we were when we were there.”
Because of Horne’s decisive actions and the help of others, three children were rescued from a perilous situation.
Meet Jason Horne in the interview below:
