Watch: Missing autistic eight-year-old girl is rescued by police clinging to rocks in Florida
An eight-year-old non-verbal autistic girl was rescued from rocks after going missing on a family vacation in Florida.
Clearwater Police Department found the child by the ocean after an urgent call reported she couldn't swim.
The released video shows Officer Billups calmly approaching the child, "Hey, give me your hand, be careful, be careful," as he strategically pulled her to safety from the precarious position where she was clinging to rocks in the water.
Police said that if the girl had fallen into the water, it was likely she would have drowned in the dangerous current.
In a statement shared on Facebook, the police department lauded Officer Billups, saying, "Thankfully, he was able to safely bring her out of the dangerous area and reunite her with her family."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sky News
24 minutes ago
- Sky News
Eight injured in petrol bomb and 'flamethrower' attack at rally for Hamas-held hostages in Colorado
Why you can trust Sky News Eight people have been injured at a US rally for Israeli hostages after they were attacked by a man with a makeshift flamethrower and petrol bombs. A group of people in Boulder, Colorado, were holding a regular demonstration to raise awareness of Hamas-held hostages in Gaza when they were allegedly targeted by a man who shouted "Free Palestine" on Sunday. The suspect was arrested at the scene. Four women and four men aged between 52 and 88 were injured and transported to hospitals, Boulder police said. Some of them were airlifted to hospital. Authorities had earlier put the count of the injured at six and said at least one of them was in a critical condition. The FBI says the attack was a targeted "act of terrorism" and named the suspect as 45-year-old Mohamed Soliman from El Paso County, Colorado. He was also taken to hospital after the alleged attack. Two senior law enforcement officials told Sky News' US partner network that Soliman is an Egyptian national who seemingly acted alone. They said he has no previous significant contact with law enforcement. The White House described the suspect as an "illegal alien" who had received a work permit under the Biden administration despite overstaying a tourist visa. A large part of downtown Boulder was cordoned off as sniffer dogs and the bomb squad searched for potential devices. However, police currently believe no one else was involved Police chief Steve Redfearn said the attack happened around 1.26pm on Sunday and that initial reports were that "people were being set on fire". He said injuries ranged from "very serious" to "more minor". "When we arrived we encountered multiple victims that were injured, with injuries consistent with burns," Mr Redfearn told the media. The police chief also said he did not believe anyone else was involved. "We're fairly confident we have the lone suspect in custody," he said. Boulder's police chief said the attack happened as a "group of pro- Israel people" were peacefully demonstrating. The walk is held regularly by a volunteer group called Run For Their Lives, which aims to raise awareness of the hostages who remain in Gaza. Video from the scene showed a bare-chested man shouting and clutching two bottles after the attack. Other footage showed him being held down and arrested by police as people doused one of the victims with water. Nearby there appears to be a large black burn mark on the ground. Brooke Coffman, a 19-year-old student, described seeing four women on the ground with burns on their legs. She said one appeared badly burned on most of her body and had been wrapped in a flag. She described seeing a man whom she presumed to be the attacker standing in the courtyard shirtless, holding a glass bottle of clear liquid and shouting. "Everybody is yelling, 'get water, get water,'" Ms Coffman said. Lady on fire 'from head to toe' Another eyewitness, who did not give his name, said he saw the suspect throw Molotov cocktails - an improvised bomb made from a bottle filled with petrol and stuffed with a piece of cloth to use as a fuse. He said: "It was very strange to just hear a crash on the ground of a bottle breaking and then it sounded like a boom and then people started yelling and screaming. "But I saw fire, I saw people screaming and crying and tripping and I saw the attacker - he had three Molotov cocktails. "One of them he threw inside a group and one lady lit on fire from head to toe and then the other four people were also injured in the fire, but not as bad as the first one." The eyewitness continued: "The attacker came out from the bushes and the trees... he threw another cocktail, and on the second one he lit himself on fire - I imagine accidentally. "He seemed to have a bullet proof vest on, or some kind of vest, and then a shirt underneath it. "And after he lit himself on fire he took off the vest and the shirt and he was shirtless. "But he still had his Molotov cocktails in his hands ready to use them... ready to throw them and explode them on people." Lynn Segal, another eyewitness, said: "These shoots of fire, linear, about 20 feet long, spears of fire, two of them at least, came across right into the group, about 15 feet from me." The 72-year-old said two neighbours of hers, a husband and wife in their 80s, were at the demonstration. She added that the wife was one of the victims and appeared to be the most seriously injured. "They're both elders in their 80s, and you can't take something like this assault to your body as easily as someone younger." Ms Segal, who was wearing a "Free Palestine" T-shirt, said she watches the demonstrations to "try and listen" to what the volunteers are "talking about" because she is concerned about the hostages. She added that she is concerned the attack will "divide this community". Another eyewitness told MSNBC that he saw the suspect "lighting people on fire while spraying gasoline on them". Brian, who is himself Jewish and asked that his last name not be made public, added that he saw victims "having their skin melt off their bodies". A statement from Boulder's Jewish community said "an incendiary device was thrown at walkers at the Run for Their Lives walk on Pearl Street as they were raising awareness for the hostages still held in Gaza". Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later said in a statement this morning: "This attack was aimed against peaceful people who wished to express their solidarity with the hostages held by Hamas, simply because they were Jews. "I trust the United States authorities to prosecute the cold blood perpetrator to the fullest extent of the law and do everything possible to prevent future attacks against innocent civilians. "The antisemitic attacks around the world are a direct result of blood libels against the Jewish state and people, and this must be stopped." US Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a prominent Jewish Democrat , said it was an antisemitic attack. "This is horrifying, and this cannot continue. We must stand up to antisemitism," he said on X. Boulder is a university city of about 105,000 people on the northwest edge of Denver, in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. The attack follows the arrest of a Chicago-born man in the fatal shooting of two Israeli embassy employees in Washington DC two weeks ago. Tensions are simmering in the US over Israel's war in Gaza. There has been an increase in antisemitic hate crime, as well as moves by some supporters of Israel to brand pro-Palestinian protests as antisemitic. President Trump's administration has detained protesters without charge and pulled funding from elite universities that have permitted such demonstrations.
Daily Mail
31 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Michael Klim doesn't look like this anymore! Olympic swimmer shows off his new style as he spends time with his family in Noosa
He's best known for his ripped physique, bald head and fierce stare from his days dominating Olympic swimming pools. But Michael Klim looked worlds away from his former life as an elite athlete as he showed off a new softer, laid-back look while spending time with his family on holiday in Noosa. In a series of candid photos shared by his daughter Stella to Instagram on Monday, Michael, 47, appeared relaxed and smiling as he donned a black T-shirt and apron at a cooking demonstration for Pork Star Live by Australian Pork. Another photo showed Michael posing with Stella on a scenic balcony, both dressed in stylish black outfits as they beamed beside the ocean. Gone was the intense, chiselled look fans remember from his modelling campaigns and Olympic heyday - replaced with a wholesome, smiley family man vibe. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. 'So great to have the family together for @noosaeatdrink,' Michael commented under Stella's post, which was quickly flooded with love heart emojis from fans. It comes as Michael confirms he's gearing up for a major life change. After more than a decade living in Bali, the Olympian has revealed he is planning a permanent move back to Australia. 'At the moment I'm still in Bali and coming back-and-forth, but definitely at some point in the near future we will be heading back to Oz to be with both of the kids,' he told the Daily Telegraph. '[Daughter] Stella is with me here in Bali, so we're kind of still in limbo at the moment.' Michael moved to Bali in 2012 and currently resides there with his partner Michelle Owen. But the decision to return Down Under has reportedly been influenced by his ex-wife Lindy Klim's recent relocation back to Australia. Michael's revelation comes after he recently gave an update on his health. The Olympian was diagnosed with the neurological disorder chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) in 2020 and told The Project this week that he was doing well. Asked how he was doing in terms of his health battle, Michael was optimistic. 'I'm feeling really well. My life has stabilised physically and mentally' he explained, before answering a question on whether he was in any pain. 'My mobility is compromised. But I've got some great AFOs, are kind of prosthetics. Some of my favourite things like surfing and playing tennis are out of the question, but I had a ski for the first time in 12 years last year' he said. Michael said there were 'a lot of things' he couldn't do, but many he could, and added that he was now focused on his foundation, The KLIM Foundation, which is raising funds and awareness for CIDP. 'With the foundation, it's what we're trying to do, enable a lot of sufferers, give them their life back' he said. 'Not only can we do it through blood donations, AFOs, having the right physio, having that support, and also counselling.' Michael recently detailed his 'tough' four-year battle with the disorder and spoke about the mental challenge of going from being an Olympian to not being able to walk. Speaking at Drew Barrymore and Wanderlust's True North event in Sydney in July, Michael explained how his leg muscles began 'disappearing' as he deteriorated. 'I had a lot of neural symptoms early on - most people would get cold feet at night time or you'd get a tingling on your quad - but I started getting these random feelings in my legs and they started progressing and getting worse,' he shared. 'Towards the end, my legs would give way on me when I was walking back. All my other aches and pains started popping up even more, affecting my everyday lifestyle from my ankle to my back. Michael - who is now able to walk with the assistance of a cane - admitted the diagnosis also took a mental toll as he struggled to come to terms with his physical symptoms. 'It was really confronting mentally, not just physically,' he explained while speaking to press ahead of actress Drew's talk event at the ICC Theatre. 'I could look down and see these sticks hanging off my body, which for someone that used to pride myself on my physical ability, that was taken away within six months.' Michael undergoes rehabilitation including plasma treatment, which has helped him to become more mobile by reducing inflammation and restoring nerve damage. He also praised his girlfriend Michelle Owen for her support over the past four years as he admitted it has been a difficult journey. Klim first unveiled his romance with DJ Michelle in October 2019, three years after his split from his model ex-wife Lindy Klim in 2016 after 10 years of marriage. Meanwhile, Lindy recently moved back to Australia following her split with husband of six years, Adam Ellis with whom the Balinese Princess shares daughter Goldie, seven. Michael and Lindy share three children - Stella, 18, Rocco, 16, and Frankie, 13.
Daily Mail
31 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Jamie Oliver opens up on his 'very neurodiverse family' as he reveals that understanding how their children see things differently allows him and wife Jools to be 'better parents'
Jamie Oliver has opened up on his 'very neurodiverse family', revealing that understanding how their children see things differently allows him and wife Jools to be 'better parents'. The celebrity chef, 50, recently detailed his own emotional toll of struggling with dyslexia ahead of his new hour-long Channel 4 special, titled Jamie's Dyslexia Revolution. And in a new interview, Jamie has told how he navigates his 'bonkers family' with Jools, 50, and their children, amid diagnoses of dyslexia, ADHD and ASD (autism spectrum disorder) in the past year. The TV star shares daughters Poppy, 23, Daisy, 22, and Petal, 16, and sons Buddy, 14, and River, eight, with his former model spouse, with the eldest two having flown the nest. Though not revealing details on who was diagnosed, Jamie revealed to The Sunday Times Magazine that he and Jools discuss their children in bed every night and have 'learnt to understand that their behaviour is because they're seeing things differently'. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. He added that being aware of their children's differences 'allows you to be a better parent'. Neurodivergent is a term that describes people whose brains function differently, encompassing conditions like autism, ADHD, and dyslexia. And amid the conditions affecting many members of his family, Jamie went on to joke that home life is 'bonkers', remarking: 'Imagine four neurodiverse people at the dinner table trying to get their point across.' Jamie also went on to say that he feels attitudes towards neurodivergence are generational, noting that 'older people' tend to reflect on not having these issues 'when they were young', However, the father-of-five counters that people 'didn't know as much about our brains 30 years ago'. It comes as Jamie recalled being branded a 'stupid dunce' at school and said his learning issues left him feeling 'worthless, stupid and thick'. Dyslexia is a common learning difficulty that causes problems with reading, writing and spelling and difficulties with processing. Ahead of his documentary release, he told The Sunday Times: 'I'm unpacking quite a lot of stuff and I'm oversharing with you because I've got to f***ing work this s**t out, I thought I'd buried it but it's hitting a nerve. 'I didn't have any extra time in exams, there were no strategies, just a bit of extra tutoring help,' he revealed. 'There was no robust dyslexic knowledge then.' The Essex-born chef, now a household name thanks to The Naked Chef, said the kitchen 'saved' him and gave him purpose when the classroom let him down. He added: 'I didn't tell mum, dad or the teachers. I just bottled it up inside. The kitchen saved me. I knew I had something to offer. I knew I wasn't a useless piece of s***.' The NHS says dyslexia affects up to one in ten Brits, often causing trouble with reading, writing and spelling. But many, like Jamie, excel in other areas such as problem-solving and creativity. Jamie is using his platform to call for urgent changes in schools, including early dyslexia screening and more teacher training in neurodiversity. He said: 'I've only got love for teachers, we need to appreciate them more. But they want to be trained, they want to have the tools to notice, understand and react.' His hard-hitting documentary, airing soon on Channel 4, will question whether the UK education system is doing enough to support children with dyslexia - and if not, what needs to change. Jamie has already met with Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson and says this campaign is even tougher than his famous fight for healthier school dinners.
