Hollywood lifeguard saves family after Aruba tubing accident: ‘Didn’t know if they were dead’

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. — A Hollywood Ocean Rescue lifeguard is being honored for his heroic actions after he helped save several members of his family during a water incident in Aruba.

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Lifeguard Marcelo Lorenzo was on vacation on Aug. 11 when he said a speedboat-towed tube crashed into an anchored catamaran, seriously injuring several of his family members.

Two tubes were traveling alongside one another when the boat made a wide turn, sending one tube crashing at high speed into an anchored catamaran, according to officials.

Several of Lorenzo’s family members were thrown into the water and hurt.

With no emergency responders immediately available, Lorenzo said he relied on his training as a professional lifeguard and sprang into action.

According to Lorenzo, he found his father trapped beneath the catamaran and pulled him toward a ladder, helping him to safety, and he also found his cousin unconscious and face-down in the water.

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He checked for a pulse and kept her afloat until employees aboard the catamaran could help get her out of the water.

“I remember swimming over there, I was like, ‘This is scary’ and I was thinking the worst,” he said. “I didn’t know if they were dead or possibly really hurt, and I just knew I had to get over there as soon as possible and go help them out.”

Hollywood Fire Rescue says Lorenzo’s quick thinking, courage and training helped save lives during an extraordinary emergency.

Officials say his response demonstrated how professional lifeguard training and preparedness can make a difference when seconds count.

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