When the reporter becomes the story.
A local news reporter in Florida not only caught a dramatic dolphin rescue on camera, he also helped assist the beached mammal.
The rescue, involving a group of bystanders on the beach in Marco Island, Fla., played out, live, over 13 minutes and found Fox 4’s Tony Russell in the thick of it.
At first, Russell begins reporting on the dolphin’s rescue. Those assisting can be seen pouring water onto the nearly lifeless dolphin.
However, every 30 seconds or so, the dolphin moves its fin or eye ever so gently.
That’s when the group recruits Russell in the effort. The reporter hands his microphone over to his cameraman and begins helping the others haul the dolphin.
All of those involved then wade through the rough waters with the dolphin in their arms.
Through rough surf and 20 mph winds, the group releases the dolphin — only to find it struggling to make it back to the sea.
The rescuers then regroup and urge the disoriented storm victim onward.
Eventually, the dolphin overcomes the struggle and swims to sea — as it’s battered with an additional few waves.
Russell then returns to the microphone and narrates the harrowing encounter.
He even brings his fellow group members into the fold, as they recall their life-saving efforts.
Hurricane Irma’s eyewall made landfall over Marco Island on Sunday, bringing around 120 mph winds (a powerful Category 3) and a formidable storm surge. That’s why, Russell announces, the dolphin was likely caught up along the beach.
The reporter added that another dolphin had just been rescued from the same beach.
Although Irma had made her way into the northern part of Florida and Georgia on Monday morning, the surf in her wake was still riled up.
Luckily, it appears the dolphin was able to swim to safety.
