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Lifeguard fired for saving swimmer honored, meets man he rescued

Tomas Lopez

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. — A South Florida lifeguard, who lost his job after saving a man's life, got to meet the man he pulled from the water.

Tomas Lopez was honored on Monday for his quick thinking, and he got to meet and shake the hand of the 21-year-old man he saved off Hallandale Beach.

Lopez was fired because the rescue happened beyond his lifeguard zone, which violated company policy.

Lopez said he's just glad the man is OK.

"To see him finally, we heard he was OK. We heard he was doing good, but I never had confirmation. Everyone could say it, but I never knew how he was really doing, and now, to see him here, it's overwhelming," said Lopez.

Lopez was offered his job back, but turned it down. He said he loved being a lifeguard, but is ready to move on.

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