Police Officer Rescues Five Teens from Storm Drain (Massillon, Ohio)

Watch as Massillon, Ohio Police Officer Aaron Franklin teams up with the city's fire chief to rescue five teenage boys from a high-flow storm drain after the group was swept away by strong currents following a brief but heavy rain.
A total of six teens between the ages of 13 and 15 were playing in the city's typically-placid Sippo Creek after the downpour, but their afternoon of fun ended quickly when one of the kids lost his footing and was taken away by the current.
The remaining boys tried to form a human chain to rescue him… and they soon found themselves ALL downstream, holding on to avoid being swept into underground tunnels. Luckily, one of the five managed to make it back to high ground. He called 911.
Officer Franklin was the first to arrive on the scene, and he kicked into gear, assisting firefighters by tossing a life ring to retrieve the nearest two teens, after which Massillon Fire Chief Tom Burgasser tethered himself to 300 feet of rope and was lowered downstream to retrieve two more teens who he found just inside a drainage pipe.
The sixth teen had been swept away entirely, taken through a maze of pitch-black underground storm drain pipes and eventually spat out in a reservoir one mile away. From there, he managed to reach shore on his own.
Fun day at the creek.
(Did I mention that Officer Franklin would resuscitate an overdose patient less than two hours after this incident? Full video of that coming soon.)
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[@tyrekejenkins726]

When picking a smoke spot goes wrong

[@mistergsxr465]

Tyreke Jenkins lmfaooo I was thinking the same shit

[@tduuub443]

Lmao what imwas thinking

[@imperiumrecords8955]

Tyreke Jenkins 😂😭😭

[@urbaxvibes]

Tyreke Jenkins lmaoaoaooo

[@fernandotills]

Michael Scott Stg

[@user-qz9hm6pe9c]

*officer soaked head to toe after trying to save a teen* "Michael I lost your light, buddy"

[@brianburtt245]

That was the Fire Chief.....he also lost his radio

[@zyourzgrandzmaz]

Chief of the year

[@MadTheDJ]

Flashlight and radio are in the bottom of the reservoir now.

[@sweetfaith2011]

He's in great shape for an older guy.

[@ThorThunda]

That last kid rode a 1 mile water slide in the dark, holy shit that must have felt like hours.

[@ArtKrishnamurti]

Scott that would at minimum be 45 minutes! Holy fuck. We did a tube float 1.5 miles that took 2 hours.

[@Skaiform]

ArtKrishnamurti he is saying it”felt like hours” , I doubt your tube float was in the pitch black.

[@Krawberry]

Skaiform he didn’t say that it was the same, he said his 1.5 mile ride took 2 hours, using math, it’s easy to see that he was in there at minimum of 45 minutes

[@gracevils556]

@@Krawberry maybe with the strong currents it would be less? Being thrashed around like that in a concrete tunnel would be terrifying!! I bet they learned their lessons. Scary stuff.

[@justinb7039]

Now he knows its possible. He should get a kayak and a headlamp and make some youtube videos..

[@SeaSkyCity]

Always respect a Chief that puts himself on the front-line, and does great at it. Great job everyone.

[@Kevin_EndStepMTG]

Most likely the only one on scene with Swift water rescue cert. Its hard to get.

[@robinlee9272]

Officer Franklin went over & beyond this day saving these boys & then resuscitating an OD victim. I have 100 percent respect for him. Truly a great officer & man

[@RyanMcCarty]

Dude a MILE of water like that is pretty insane, then in pitch black. Dang kid.

[@TallyWackaTha2nd]

And I'm willing to bet that they were smoking pot too so that would be scary AF

[@dotcassilles1488]

Long enough to drown... Scary

[@unclebilly1353]

This is what most kids did before the internet. At least there getting out.

[@216trixie]

Lmao

[@333sagg]

lmaooo bruh

[@blowingleaves-rb9fw]

And there is adventure and physical challenges involved. It may inspire a career path for some of them.

[@RoyalCaymanian]

William Rittenhouse Spot on! Nice to see some do get out and about. When one can actually have a face-to-face conversation with some youngsters... it gives me hope. LoL I spend about an hour or two chatting to a young sales clerk just about every Sunday, she even thanks me for talking to her. I’m just happy to see that not all are “mobile-screen-planted”!

[@heatscore9407]

That's exactly how all us boys got into trouble in the 80s...my poor parents don't know the half of the danger we boys or ourselves in

[@GUNSHIPFLEX]

Officer Franklin is a hero. I live near Massillon and I hope I get to meet him and shake his hand. Need more cops like him.

[@naomibryant3172]

officer Franklin thank you for your service God bless you and your family keep up the good job in our community

[@CeeCeeB.]

Amazing officer

[@PonyBoy1776]

Don't forget to thank the other first responders

[@danaanngensler60]

Beautiful and heartbreaking. This same thing happened to my friend’s 15 yo grandson, swept thru a storm drain during a sudden flash flood rain storm. They heard him scream thru 200 yards of dark rushing water. He could not be rescued until he came out the other end & he did not survive. I honor & remember him; we will never forget. These boys will never forget either.

[@jeepdude7359]

Oh to be young and dumb... I can honestly say that I would have done something this stupid in my youth. These rescuers all deserve a commendation!!! Great teamwork guys!

[@AFatalPapercut]

Did that first kid know the officer? "I'm never saving anyone again Franklin" "Alright get up to the top"

[@derxer614]

Maybe, could be a small town where some officers are known.. idk

[@x92811]

When I was growing up I knew a few cops in my city. When you live in a smaller town you start to see the same cops pretty often, especially if you’re a kid like me who always seemed to get in trouble with them lol

[@BrandonHasAChannel]

He might have just read his callsign on his vest, but yeah he most likely knew him

[@youtubemuaic1565]

@@x92811 8

[@sleepyidiot2010]

In the beginning, you can hear them shout “is that franklin?” They know him.

[@jenniferholden9397]

The kids knew his name. Officer "I'll do it" Franklin, you are a star.

[@buttermuffin0142]

I live a few miles away from this and the idea that that could happen is terrifying. Canton and Massillon police are amazing tho. Of the few I’ve met they’re all very respectful and caring people.

[@wildlandfirefighter5656]

Pennywise would've made them float.

[@NickB-md1oy]

Wildland Firefighter came here for this comment. After reading the books this whole incident and setting feels so like Derry. So scary.

[@webbygarton1143]

I bullied them and put them in

[@somethingwithbungalows]

6:36 this is like an alternative scene from the movie lol

[@somethingwithbungalows]

A.D Suri lol

[@BLFwelding]

Bad decisions turn into good lessons glad they’re okay.

[@jimmihaley9679]

Respect to the chief wouldnt send his men in to something he wouldnt do. thats the literal definition of a great leader.

[@Olds_Gold]

Those are fabulous firefighters and law enforcement officers! Thank you for all you do

[@niecyallison1706]

Thank goodness Jayden was able to call. I'm glad the police and firemen were able to get there in time to save these teens.

[@McGyver777ATGMAIL]

This officer works to save five kids then saves an OD'ed guy with narcan less than 2hrs later? Damn fine job.

[@bowlofrice8]

McGyver777ATGMAIL should have let the dope fiend die. Waste of tax dollars if you ask me.

[@Mischabelle87]

@@bowlofrice8 Whatever. I've seen what you call dope fiends turn their lives around and doing amazing! Good people with good hearts. You don't know how insidious addiction can be unless u experience it firsthand! It hijacks your brain making you act in ways you wouldn't. Have a heart. What if it was a loved one of yours overdosing? Is it a waste of tax money then? Tell me please

[@Mischabelle87]

Yes! This officer doesn't miss a beat. Saving lives back to back!👏👏

[@cortneymongold7305]

The way I see it they are to serve and protect the people. They do not get to pick who they save who they don't save. It could be the worst person to date that anyone has ever seen but the person was in trouble or needing rescue they would still have rescue them no matter what. So no they could not let the person od die because it is in the job description. Just like firefighters, military personnel, doctors, nurses, anyone that saves lives and protect them. Everyone still has a right to life despite who they are.

[@petesahli3967]

@@Mischabelle87 you just said what I thought at the remark ! I know first hand what love is !!! And you dont ever give up on the ones you love !!!!!

[@dawnbreak3299]

These are the events the media should be showing... police when they risk their lives...

[@jaguarjaz9]

We can't thank you enough for all that you do!!! With our hearts and gratitude...Thank you!!!

[@buckfifty37]

Simply amazing, thank God for the brave first responders in this country. I don't care what other people say or think about our police and firefighters.

[@melissaheart420]

oh my goodness I'm only like 12 minutes and and my heart is pounding! this officer is so calm and determined to find them all I love it.

[@FreeSpiritedHD19]

I'm ready to see the movie they make about this officers day! Good job officer Franklin. You earn the highest honor possible.

[@newname4405]

Props to chief, he had balls of steel, barely caring about his own harness to go save em. Good to see the part of police work that’s just mentioned in passing by the media but has a huge impact on many many lives.

[@brianburtt245]

Fire chief Tom Burgasser.

[@teenalabeija]

I hope these 5 kids remember this experience in a few years when they have future interactions with police.

[@TheGarnerjustin73]

Exactly what our tax dollars should be going to.

[@jordanschwarzlose9218]

dj1200 Lol, I always call him “Child in Chief” but that one was good. Don’t be surprised if non-informed mid-westerns(Republicans) defend him.

[@Carter-dv4hz]

@@jordanschwarzlose9218 Man if you like socialism (communism) then move to the soviet union. Oh wait.

[@TheGarnerjustin73]

David wish I was brave enough not to pay them, I'd have a nestegg with the past twenty years I've paid.

[@GHQST]

not sure if this is ironic or not.

[@cthompsonguy]

Saving lives? Yes.

[@John-nx3gd]

When you ask your mom to go to the water park Mom: We got water park at home Water park at home:

[@Lillpixeychic]

Extreme cheapskate: abusive parent addition

[@eddieball1225]

WHEN YOU ASK YOUR MOM TO GO TO THE WATER PARK MOM ME GOT WATER PARK AT HOME WATER PARK AT HOME

[@Lana-Moran]

I love how each of them where so concerned about each other dispite the shit that they just went through. If I went through that my friends would not leave my arms untill I confirmed they where completely safe

[@DianaQ444]

Great job!! Officers now that is what u call hero's...so glad everyone is ok thank you Jesus

[@markborchers6447]

Great job! Really shows the dedication of officers across the United States, to bad this will never make it across mainstream media

[@garrwtt3470]

i feel bad for the one whose pants weren’t on him i bet you that was embarrassing

[@navb0tactual]

Officer Frank: "where's your shorts?" Kid: "I don't even know" I feel bad because as soon as he saw the amount of cop cars it hit him harder than bricks the situation he got himself into.

[@michael-k.]

Yeah, and his underwear was down, so embarrassing

[@black98rt]

That mom’s reaction when her son said they pulled him out says it all.

[@Pivats-]

black98rt when did that happen

[@black98rt]

23 min mark

[@Pivats-]

black98rt thanks

[@krisraps]

That Boy Said Im So Sorry, Whqat A Champ. Damn... He Feels bad That All These People Needed To Wpork And Stuff, Damn, All The Sides Are Good Here. Seriosuly, Protect And Serve And respective Boys.

[@db5676]

IntricateAspirations 😂😂

[@doobee84]

Amazing heroes, those kids would be forever grateful to these every day heroes 👍

[@oliie8087]

That fire chief is a badass. Reminds me a lot of my grandfather. Those kids should take antibiotics

[@liamc1102]

Medication is woowoo

[@gh-ev9vi]

Liam Collier dog

[@Sera-Marie]

What a legend. The kids seem to know the LEO which is kinda cool. He seems like an awesome guy!

[@Spyke-lz2hl]

Yeah, but nobody heard about this.... The response probably would’ve been, “they were fine, the cops didn’t need to rescue them so quickly. They were so irresponsible and on a power trip deciding it was time to rescue them”. Great job to these officers and all the other hard working officers who are willing to put their lives on the line for us, or our children at an moment, without as much as a thank you.

[@kshaw2307]

Amazing that the last kid didn't drown, something was watching over him!

[@tiffanyhakunashi9257]

Officer Franklin has done an amazing job building community trust and rapport with those kids. Thank goodness they were all ok

[@maranatha8768]

I don’t know how many times I’ve told kids to stay away from them things that they are dangerous GOD BLESS THESE HEROS 😱😭😳

[@mmatthews61687]

You can tell this is a great cop if that kid knows his name. Good community presence. I saw that he also saved a guys life at an OD scene the same day. Needs a raise for sure

[@jimstevenson9033]

Awesome Job by Officer Franklin, Chief Burgasser & the rest of the TEAM of the Masillon Police and Fire Department's... That's what you call a great Swift Water Rescue...

[@cboyd226]

I’m bawling my eyes out. This could have ended so badly.

[@yellowdeer7163]

This could of ended tragically. What brave officers in that town.

[@isabellelewis5774]

“I just wanna be in my bed” mood

[@amykovach1558]

Omg at the end when he was talking to the two in the back seat. That boy really got to me. I have two boys around the same age. The mother in me wanted to hug them all.

[@John-oe5nb]

The sign that they walked past "Danger No Trespassing" means everyone else. I think they are much smarter now and won't do that again. Maybe.

[@susananderson1071]

Outstanding job by all! You have a chief that you should be proud of. So glad the last kid had the clarity to get help otherwise it most likely would have been all deceased.

[@RyanMcCarty]

Audio comes in at :25 be ready.

[@patrickgilmer6592]

BLUE LIVES ARE AWESOME!!! What a hero cop! All these guys are heroes. I sure can't imagine as a dad, how I'd feel about almost losing my kid.

[@brittany7jeffrey4]

Omg how scary. I bet a couple of these boys will probably be scared of water for a very long time. They are very lucky that one boy got out and able to call 911.

[@blowingleaves-rb9fw]

Lisa Owens I bet that instead of a fear of water these kids will have a newfound respect for water, and the power she wields. They may even be inspired along a career path. They saw some amazing role models in action.

[@Ppb126]

Thanks to the first responders. They were awesome. Glad the boys got out safely

[@RootSlayer420]

Phenomenal group effort Men!! That canal tought a HARD LESSON to them boys. So glad they are allll safe including officers involved! I only live an hour from Massillon ! ❤ from Harrison county ohio

[@Spazzycat14]

Atleast they all came out the right color. Rescue>Recovery

[@JenniferSmith-25]

All involved in this rescue are heroes, especially Officer Franklin and the Fire Chief. 🇺🇸❤️🇺🇸

[@noland5345]

I’m honestly glad the cops weren’t really mad at them and calling them dumbasses at least he didn’t and 3 others didn’t. Getting swept down wouldn’t be to hard if your swimming

[@BenTvHowman]

Great job to all involved, that water is unforgiving

[@shanehandrahan7827]

Amazing. I’m so glad those boys are safe. And all people involved.

[@marilynhedler246]

Awesome coverage. Thank you.

[@thiesenf]

When ordinary theme parks can't deliver the urbex experience...

[@chrif3398]

Same kind of thing happened to me. I was chillin in a storm drain that was bone dry and no rain all week, I was just kinda walking around looking at graffiti and I kind of heard this trickle, and then it started to get REALLY loud. I looked over the hill and there was a river's worth of water moving towards me. I was in a tunnel so I sprinted to get out of the other side and hang onto the concrete walls on the other side. I felt the water touch my feet and I got completely knocked over and carried by the current for almost two blocks until I was able to hang onto a split in the tunnel and walk up the dry tunnel which led me out to the back of an elementary school in my town. I was lucky the water wasn't multiple feet deep and was only moving very quickly. I then went home and decided to not do that stupid shit again.

[@noahmejia5354]

That is a true definition of a real fire chief! Won’t send his men to do anything he wouldn’t !

[@indatubesurfer]

Just another day at the job for this officer!!! Well done 👍

[@EnjoyingLifeMelanie]

Good job Officer Franklin and the fire chief. Get dry, stay warm.

[@gurpindersinghrajan]

Best officer

[@the4seasons4ever]

GOD BLESS THESE BRAVE MEN AND WOMAN.

[@MargieRose777]

The movies Stand by me and the Goonies come to mind. Thank God these boys are safe. Great job to the rescue team 👍🏼❤️

[@sbains560]

This man deserves a medal

[@theresatyler4043]

Great Job from the TEAM in Ohio! God Bless the uniform.👮🏼‍♂️🙏💖🏆 Hopefully a lesson learned for the teens. ...🤷‍♀️👶🏼💔💧😲😢🤔😟😰😱😵👨‍👦‍👦

[@333sagg]

I like the way you expressed yourself with emojis there

[@igorkrop]

This is the best -Police-Teens- request i've ever watched.

[@sherrytellor5695]

Outstanding Job Guys!!! Absolutely Amazing!!!

[@Shakk404]

Love videos like these people need to show more of the good side of what law-enforcement does.

[@chrisbauer1925]

It would be interesting to see the footage from the officer that found the teen that got swept throught the pipes! Amazing that he was alright!

[@CelestialDragonSlayer]

I had an anxiety attack watching this. I admire the police for their bravery

[@emilyevans4465]

Thank god there safe they could’ve went under that current. It hits way harder under water, they could’ve died

[@GPGremlin1974]

Great job to the cops and fire rescue who saved these teens!

[@LarryLaw12x]

Chief is chief for a reason! Someones got balls!

[@CindiLeeCusimano]

Lucky Kids. Nice job cops.

[@toxicbloxian5652]

Respect to cheif...would not send his men to do anything he wouldn't, that's what a great leader is.

[@ravenr876]

Awesome job to all responders, thank God for that outcome.

[@liteney]

Well done Chief! Well done Franklin! :)

[@sammythatbul1667]

I hope these boys have a certain kind of respect for officers and if not before this incident then definitely after. Maybe they grow up to serve and protect their neighborhood.

[@ancientskyline4060]

Nice Work Guys! No Fatalities Equals Sucessful Day

[@ikichullo]

10:04 When mom catches you with the vape

[@austin8151]

Mad respect to the chief, what a badass!

[@sonnyd2924]

Why can't they make gates so they can't go through. God bless all the cops who helped them. without cops it will be worst

[@sherryjackson3040]

How in the world ? Great save. Great job

[@colton7373]

that’s terrifying, I used to crawl through our local tunnels all the time but I had the security of the Texas drought on my side back then

[@MichaelJ44]

This officer made a sequel of saving lives part 2 only 2 hours later

[@timelapse4989]

Just like the 'Goonies' movie, kids go deep underground looking for treasure.

[@corvusduluth]

Amazing rescue with no real equipment. Sheriff's Dept. Rescue Squad would be equipped. A lanyard and pulley lashed to stump would have helped a lot. I guess time was of the essence. A similar incident in my town, kid road through the storm sewer 300 feet, and lived.

[@nineteen96]

One of the teens knew the officer. He must be pretty dope

[@katherinerosemore274]

Damn this shit hurt my heart thinking of what could have happened. Especially when they started yelling "Help!" And damn they thought their homie was dead thats horrible but thank God he and the rest of them made it out. Like damn thank God they can actually tell their story Great work Cheif And that officer was great too Great team👏👏👏

[@seahawkdragon9355]

As a mother of two sons--the oldest who wasn't always thoughtful regarding SAFETY -- I had a friend of his run up to my door freaking out. They had ventured into a filthy pond, for some unknown reason. It was down a steel slope. My baby had cut his foot wide open. His friend had taken off one of their [I don't remember if it was the friend's or my son's] socks and tied a tourniquet. I had to slip & slide down to the pond and carry my child up a muddy slope. Got him home then to the hospital [and as they were irrigating the wound to his foot prior to medicating it and stitching it up-- I nearly passed out. Ushered out of the room!]. When my youngest son was in the Army, whenever the troops were going to be sent into somewhere in the Middle East (that child was a terrible communicator!!), his commander got to know me well. "Is my child to be sent...??" The parents of these kids would have been heart-stricken!! 98% of parents, mothers a bit more--maybe--your child is the most important thing in your life. I don't think any will their asses will get whipped. I DO think there will be a lot of taking done. And hopefully a lot of spreading the message to their friends!

[@toritorii2053]

This happened to me and my friend once. A guy managed to throw a blanket it the water and I grabbed it and he pulled me out. It was to late for my friend because she was way ahead of me because we went under a tunnel where we had to be under water until the tunnel ended and before we went under I tried to grab the top of the tunnel and I missed but it slowed me down. My friend got swept under another full rosed tunnel and when she went under , she bumped her head and went unconscious for hours in the water. Once she woke up she was in a tunnel full of trees and she grabbed one and started to scream for help. A lady heard and seen her then called the police for help. They got her out and she had to be rushed to the hospital and get stitches

[@BallZakc]

Dude props to that chief! Holy shit what a badass

[@Skate_and_Destroy90]

Me and a couple friends fell in the middle of a frozen lake at 12 at night. Almost died. Scariest thing I’ve had happen to me.

[@tannerchaffin9235]

Dang man. I'm from Texas but I know how deceptive those can be; hard to tell if the ice is 3 feet thick or 3 inches. How did you guys get out and get help in time? I assume you were battling hypothermia the whole time...

[@Skate_and_Destroy90]

Tanner Chaffin so we were all just walking and one friend fell in. So I went to help him out then I fell in and the ice around us all broke. For about 3 minutes you could hear nothing but water splashes from us trying to get out. When we would try to climb on the ice it would break. The water was freezing but the adrenaline blocked the cold feeling. I was telling myself to stay calm and not to freak out because the longer I was in the cold water the harder it was to breath, I was breathing slowly trying to conserve my breath. I remember looking towards the sky thinking to myself that this could possibly be my death. It was far from any houses or anything so there was no help. I looked behind me and one of my friends had went under the water. I pushed my friend in the direction of the closest land so he could break the ice and make a path to the land. After about 15 minutes total of being in there we finally got out and helped our friends out. We then took off our hoodies because they were freezing and heavy. After that we had to walk about 10 minutes to the closest road waiting for my fiends dad to pick us up. The worst feeling was when it first happened and I had realized the actual danger we were in. I couldn’t feel the ground with my feet and my breathing was getting shorter the longer I was in. Drowning is my biggest fear so this was terrifying.

[@andrxmedalol]

this guy just saved these kids from being eaten by Pennywise