DRAMATIC footage shows the moment a US warden dives into a lake to save a one-year-old girl from drowning.
Game Warden Josey Branch was on patrol checking for fishing licences last Sunday when he witnessed a toddler fall through the railing of a dock on Lake Carl Blackwell, Oklahoma.
Whilst the tot’s terrified family were on scene, Warden Branch was the quickest to react, hurling himself over the barrier and into the water below without a second thought.
Footage from the perspective of Branch’s body camera shows him in conversation with the family, who appear to be enjoying a sunny day at the lakeside.
The tot can be seen in the background of the clip tugging on a fishing net which appears to be tangled up.
Meanwhile Branch, who bids the family good day, edges past another youngster on the dock to continue on his patrol.
Right as he passes the youngster, the little girl then loses her balance in the tug of war with the fishing net, staggering backwards and tumbling over the railing into the 13-foot deep water.
Without a moment’s hesitation, Warden Branch rips off his life vest along with the body camera and jumps in after the child, along with her father.
The rest of the scene is captured only on audio as a woman can be heard screaming but is quickly followed by the sound of the saved girl coughing up some water.
The one-year-old can be heard trying to catch her breath as she yells “Daddy!” along with other people’s sighs of relief.
Officials confirmed the girl is okay and did not require medical attention.
The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation later shared the video of the rescue to social media on Tuesday, praising the warden for his quick and brave action.
They said: “Accidents can happen fast. Game Warden Branch was checking fishing licenses on a dock when a toddler fell into 13 ft of water.
“Warden Branch and other adults sprang into action to save her. Please wear a life jacket and be safe around the lakes this summer.
“Huge shout out to our co-worker Warden Branch for thinking so quickly and clearing that railing as fast as he could.”
The clip has since received over 5,000 likes and more than 80 comments from users heaping praise on the quick-thinking hero.
One user said: “Game Warden Branch is a hero.”
Another added: “Holy carp! Good job and fast thinking Warden Branch.”
A third replied: “This is so scary! I have a toddler myself and my heart stopped watching this. I’m so glad everyone is okay.”
Another commented: “Honestly if they can’t swim and you’re on a dock go ahead and put a life jacket on them. Great save by Warden Branch.”
A fifth said: “Great job, Warden Branch. Thank you for your quick actions to save a life.”
Speaking later to local media, Warden Branch said: “Things happen fast.
“She was right in front of me and fell in the water.
“It felt like I just stood there and watched her for thirty seconds trying to figure out what to do.
“Time just slows down when things like that happen.”
He added: “I jumped in the water after her and her dad jumped in the water too.
“Luckily, she came up. We grabbed her and got lucky she was good to go.”
