Couple On Seaside Walk Use A Traffic Cone To Save Furry Baby From Drowning

“I would hope someone would have done the same for me.”

Man Spots Raccoon Struggling in the Ocean — and Refuses to Walk Away

Earlier last month, Will Deleo and his girlfriend were taking a morning walk along a seaside promenade in Charleston, South Carolina, when they noticed something moving in the water below.

“At first I thought it was a cat,” Deleo told The Dodo. “But then I realized it was a raccoon — and he had no way of getting out of the water.”

The little raccoon was trapped against the seawall, desperately paddling to stay afloat. Deleo and his girlfriend could have kept walking, but they didn’t hesitate to help.

“The first thing I thought of was, ‘I sure would hope someone would try to save me if I were in his position,’” Deleo said.

Thinking fast, Deleo grabbed a nearby traffic cone and extended it toward the struggling animal. After a few failed attempts, the raccoon managed to grab hold and climb up to safety.

“He was so tired, but he finally held on long enough to make it to the top,” Deleo said.

The drenched raccoon paused for a moment, catching his breath, then scurried off toward the safety of dry land — free once again.

“He seemed very grateful, but very tired,” Deleo said.

For Deleo, the rescue was as rewarding as it was spontaneous.

“It felt good,” he said. “I would hope someone would have done the same for me.”