An ordeal which saw a little boy from Paradise drift almost out of the cove at Salmon Cove Sands and out to the open ocean in Conception Bay had many on shore thinking the worst. But, because of the actions of many, the eight-year-old was rescued.

The boy was on a pool float in the water early yesterday afternoon, doing what some children will do.

One bystander says he ignored orders from his parents but just as his dad was ready to pull him in, the floatie crested a wave, taking him 15 to 20 feet out.

Then the wind and tide did the rest. His father and two other men paddled a dingy with their hands, doing everything possible to latch onto him but even when they did so, they just drifted further out. However, one eyewitness says had it not been for them, the boy would have ended up out in the bay.

After 40 minutes in the water, the men were exhausted and barely able to reach shore.

By that time, firefighters from Perry’s Cove/Salmon Cove were on the scene. A firefighter and a bystander got a boat from a private citizen and got to the boy in time.

Assistant Fire Chief Ryan Burton says it happened fast.

He says there is a sign stating not to use floating devices because people may not realize how fast the tide can change.

People at the beach say the signs are not visible until exiting the beach.