Baldwinsville, N.Y. — Seven-year-old Makai Bay is safe after slipping into Lock 24’s freezing waters, all thanks to quick actions from first responders and a bystander who witnessed the Baldwinsville second grader walk his bike across the lock before the terrifying fall.

Body camera footage reveals the tense moments of this crew pulling the seven-year-old to rescue, who struggled to stay warm and afloat. The raw footage uncovers the desperate cries of Makai as a Baldwinsville Police officer rushed to the scene.

“Hey, buddy, we’re coming for you, okay? Just stay right there,” an officer said to Makai.

Baldwinsville’s Northwest District Station Chief Tony McIntyre was one of the members of this life-saving team who climbed down the lock. With the assistance of the rest, they were able to hoist one of them down to reach Makai.

Bystander Ed Rohmer witnessed Makai walk his bike across the lock before slipping in. After calling first responders, he later lowered the bike so the seven-year-old could grab one of the tires to be pulled to safety, assuring him that he was okay and not drowning.

“It’s kind of unconventional tactics, but time was the essence with the water temperatures. Hypothermia is very much a problem,” Chief McIntyresaid.

This team got hold of Makai, finally pulling him out of the frigid water where he was cold and shaking but, most importantly, alive.

“The fact that the bystander witnessed and heard him in the water, he was only in for a short amount of time and if that did not happen, there would be a very, very different outcome,” stated Chief McIntyre.

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