Melrose police officers saved a boys life Tuesday night after he was impaled by the spikes at the top of a fence and lost a significant amount of blood, according to police.

Officers at around 9:30 p.m. responded to Winthrop Elementary School for a reported leg injury. A 14-year-old boy had been impaled by the spikes at the top of a 4-foot fence possibly hitting his femoral artery after he had tried to jump the fence to help a woman who tripped on the sidewalk, police said.

The boy was pale and lethargic after losing a significant amount of blood, police said. His friends used a sweatshirt to try to stop the bleeding until first responders arrived.

Officer Levi DiFranza and Sgt. Charles Byrne were the first on the scene. DiFranza used his department-issued tourniquet to stop the bleeding and squeezed the pressure point while waiting for the Melrose Fire Department to arrive, police said.

DiFranza had the boy focus on him rather than his injury, speaking in a low, calm voice to the victim, who remained conscious the entire time, while they waited, police said.

The boy was transported to a Boston hospital by ambulance, which was escorted by Officer Alexander Barranco. The boy is recovering at the hospital, but is in good health and is not believed to have suffered any long-term health effects, according to police.

I am beyond proud of the quick, decisive actions by Officer DiFranza, Sgt. Byrne and Officer Barranco, Chief Michael Lyle said in a statement.

They remained calm and focused during a very intense incident, and ultimately saved this young boys life and prevented a terrible tragedy, the chief added. They are outstanding examples of the types of officers that make up the Melrose Police Department.

More:

Melrose officers save boys life after he was impaled by spikes on fence: Police - Boston Herald