Texas Toddler Survives Fall Down Well After Grandfather Jumps in to Save Him

After a brittle, concrete well top crumble beneath his feet, a three-year-old from Van Zandt County, Texas, fell into a water well on the morning of Saturday, July 29. In a report by NBC DFW, the Van Fire Department has identified that the boy was rescued from the well by his grandfather following the incident.

Photo: Flickr/USAID U.S. Agency for International Development

According to the fire department, although the top was properly situated on the well, per safety regulations, it was brittle, and when the child climbed up on top of it, it quickly crumbled, causing the accident to occur. The toddler’s grandfather was close by when it happened, and was able to jump down into the well and save him.

Photo: Facebook/KLTV 7

When Van Zandt County firefighters arrived, both the grandfather and the toddler were safely out of the well. They were promptly checked over by paramedics and appeared to be in good health. Officials say there were pleased that the situation was resolved so quickly, and without injury, however, they cautioned that this is not the type of situation in which self-rescue should normally be attempted. They recommended that a flotation device be thrown down the well to the victim until a rescue team can arrive on scene. They also reiterated that open wells on your property should be covered and that those covers be regularly checked for their integrity.