New Bedford Hero Firefighter Saves Man During Norwegian Cruise Vacation

New Bedford firefighter Michael Desouza needed a break, so he decided to take a Norwegian Cruise from Boston to Bermuda with his wife and daughter.

This past Sunday, the Desouza family did some shopping and then headed to Snorkel Park Beach. Those who have cruised to Bermuda know this beach, which is close to the Royal Naval Dockyard.

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New Bedford Firefighter Desouza’s Quick Thinking Saved a Life in Bermuda

Desouza was sitting in shallow water as his young daughter played nearby. He noticed a couple of older men chest-deep in the water. There was nothing out of the ordinary, until Desouza heard someone from the shore yell that one of the men was in distress.

Desouza looked back and saw one of the men floating face down in the water.

"The man was flipped over, and once I saw his face, I jumped up and yelled to my wife to come get the baby," Desouza said. "I ran over to him and started pulling him out by his arms while someone else grabbed his legs. We pulled him over to the beach."

The Rescue That Led to a Hero’s Recognition

The man’s mouth was filled with water. Another woman told Desouza that she was a surgeon and that the man needed CPR immediately.

Desouza rolled him over and started CPR, performing chest compressions for a couple of minutes. The surgeon took over, and the man started breathing again on his own.

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A New Bedford Firefighter’s Heroic Act on Vacation

The man was taken away by ambulance, and Desouza knew he was going to be OK because he was talking to the paramedics.

Desouza was happy to hear the man returned home to Boston on the cruise line.

Desouza was honored with a citation and a challenge coin. Recognition from the City of New Bedford is likely in the cards in the future as well.

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