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You can't make this stuff up: A Florida lifeguard was fired from his job earlier this week for trying to save the life of a drowning man.
The problem? The victim was located near a section of the beach outside the area the lifeguard was supposed to cover. The incident took place at Hallandale Beach in south Florida.
After the rescue, the lifeguard, Tomas Lopez, 21, filled out an incident report at the request of his boss and was then told he had lost his job.
The company, Orlando-based Jeff Ellis and Associates, told the Miami Herald that liability issues mean lifeguards aren't supposed to leave the designated area they are assigned to cover.
But on Monday, while Mr. Lopez was on duty, someone ran to his stand asking him to help save a drowning man.
By the time Mr. Lopez reached the man, who was swimming in an unprotected area far down the beach, several others had helped him out of the water. He appeared semi-conscious. Mr. Lopez and a nurse helped him until paramedics got to the scene.
Two other lifeguards employed by the company have quit their jobs to protest the firing of Mr. Lopez.
Szilard Janko, one of those who quit in protest, told the Herald "What was he supposed to do? Watch a man drown?"
What do you think? Would you risk losing your job if it meant helping someone in need?