Off-duty North Texas firefighter saves three children from overturned boat, officials say

An off-duty firefighter is being called a hero after rescuing three children from an overturned boat at a North Texas lake on the Fourth of July, officials say. 

According to the Alvarado Police Department, officers and Alvarado firefighters were called to Alvarado Park Lake when a boat capsized. Witnesses told police there were nine people on board when the boat flipped, and three children were trapped under the boat. 

An off-duty firefighter was nearby and quickly jumped in to rescue the children, even before rescue crews arrived. Two of the three children were initially unresponsive when pulled from the water, but the firefighter quickly resuscitated both kids, officials said. 

"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," Alvarado Police said in a statement. 

To respect the privacy of the family involved and the off-duty firefighter, Alvarado Police did not release the names of anyone involved.