DETROIT – A fishing trip on Belle Isle nearly turned tragic when a 10-year-old boy fell into a pond and struggled to stay above water, according to a neighbor who was with the children.
“I was in total shock,” said Angela Briscoe, who told Local 4 she had taken the boy and his 12-year-old brother, whom she described as neighbors she treats like her grandsons, out for what was supposed to be a fun day fishing.
Briscoe said the children were fishing from a dock when the younger boy fell into the water.
“They were over on the dock there fishing, and one of them, the 10-year-old, fell in the water,” Briscoe said. “And he couldn’t swim.”
In the chaos, Briscoe said the 12-year-old jumped in after him to help, but the younger child panicked and could not be rescued by his brother.
“I was just in shock. I didn’t know what to do, because I can’t swim,” Briscoe said. “And I was feeling like if something happened to these boys whose dad entrusted me with them, I would never get over it.”
That’s when Rashaun Rucker, a Detroit-based artist, former journalist, and the boys’ art teacher, stepped in.
Their being on Belle Isle at the same time, that day, wasn’t planned.
Rucker said he was also on the dock fishing when he saw the child going under.
“I was telling my friend, seeing him underwater sinking like that was like the scariest thing I’d ever seen,” Rucker said. “He went under three or four times.”
Rucker said he warned the boys earlier about how deep the water was, adding that he can’t swim either.
“But that water is deep,” Rucker said. “I kept telling him, don’t play around, because it’s more than seven feet deep. And I can’t swim either.”
With no time to waste, Rucker said he used what he had nearby, a fishing net, to reach the child and pull him to safety.
“All I had was a little net with a scope, and I was able to hook it under his head, and I put it over his head, and I started pulling him,” Rucker said. “As soon as I got to him, I just grabbed him by his clothes.”
Briscoe said both boys are doing fine following the rescue.
Rucker, who downplayed being called a hero, said the experience was a wake-up call and a reminder of the importance of water safety.
“That was God,” Rucker said. “I guess to sum it up, I’m probably an art teacher who needs to learn how to swim.”
“Just try to learn basic water safety, get some swimming lessons, because I’m going to do it myself,” Rucker added. “I know in our community, especially, there’s a lot of fear around water, but this has taught me an immense lesson.”
Briscoe and Rucker said they’re already looking into swim safety classes.
Lessons are available at many local recreation centers and organizations, such as the YMCA, for both children and adults.
For resources offering swim lessons, visit: