For children under the age of 15 years old, drowning is the second-leading cause of death. This terrifying statistic is the reason the fun-filled Summer season is nothing but a nightmare for parents with young kids.
For that very reason, a family in Ohio made sure their sons learned how to swim by signing them up for regular swim lessons. They hoped it would help the family avoid a heartbreaking tragedy, but they had no idea it would also help another family do the same…
A Work Trip
In early July 2018, a woman from Bowling Green, Ohio and her fiance who both work for Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial, a financial services organization, were sent to Orlando to attend a sales convention that was being held.
A Family Vacation
When the woman found out that the convention was being held in Orlando, she and her fiance decided to bring along her twin sons and make the work trip into a little vacation at Disney World since they would already be in the area.
A Day of Fun
“We went down a day early and stayed at a hotel near the airport,” the boys’ mother said. “With our late evening arrival, we wanted to let the boys chill out and swim before we had to check into the sales convention hotel. They are like little fish and would live in the water if you’d let them.”
The Twin Bond
According to their mother, the boys “have a very strong twin bond and are almost always together.” That afternoon, the 6-year-old twins, who regularly take swimming lessons back home, spent hours swimming and playing with each other in the hotel’s pool.
No Signs of Tiring
As the sun started to set, Bryant and Peyton Switzer were still playing games in the pool and showed no signs of getting tired. “As always, the boys wanted to stay and swim longer,” Amy Walters said about the twins.
A Few More Minutes
To let the boys have a few more minutes in the pool, Amy’s fiance, DJ Deiter, agreed to stay and watch them as she went up to their room to collect their stuff. “So DJ said he would stay down with them and I could go pack things up and get ready to head to the convention hotel,” Amy said.
Packing Up
At around the same time, another mother who had been playing with her toddler in the shallow end of the pool got out with her little girl and started packing up her family’s belongings. She only turned her back for a few seconds before tragedy nearly struck.
The Deep End
While the mother was packing up to leave the pool, her 3-year-old little girl, who wasn’t old enough to swim on her own but was old enough to run away from her mother, ripped off her water wing flotation devices, ran over to the deep end where Bryant and Peyton were playing, and jumped in.
Sinking Like a Stone
At first, the 3-year-old struggled to keep her head above the surface and kept bobbing beneath the surface. According to DJ, the little girl jumped into the water and sunk to the bottom like a stone. Even Bryant and Peyton could tell something was wrong.
A Red Flag
“The toddler little girl sprinted behind and ran to the deep end and jumped in and that’s where the twins were playing,” DJ explained. “As soon as she was in there they realized that she was in trouble because she was starting to sink and splash around.”
No Hesitation
Rather than sit there and watch or wait for an adult to intervene, Bryant and Peyton jumped to action without hesitating. “Her head was under the water,” said Peyton, who jumped in the water, swam over to her, and pulled her to the surface.
A Team Effort
“Without thinking twice, Peyton jumped in and swam over to her,” said Amy. While Peyton puller her up and swam her over to the pool ladder, Bryant was already a step ahead and was waiting at the pool ladder to help his brother carry the 3-year-old out of the water.
A Mix of Emotions
“Bryant then helped her up the ladder to where her mother and DJ had come over to help pull her up,” Amy explained. “They were overcome with anxiety, fear, gratitude and all of those emotions,” DJ said about the terrifying incident.
Tragedy Avoided
“The little girl was kind of scared and she was crying at first but she was just so glad we were all there to help her,” DJ explained. Because of Peyton and Bryant, however, a tragedy was avoided at the pool, where there were no lifeguards on duty.
Proud Parents
“I just wanted to save her and I didn’t even think what to do. I just did it on my own, because she was drowning, and her mom was afraid that she was going to die,” Peyton said. “The mother was extremely grateful,” Amy added. “We are so proud of them we always want them to help others when they can but the fact that they saved a little girl’s life is amazing, especially at 6-years-old.”
Priceless Lessons
“You know it’s very rewarding to know that some of the things they are involved with just became an instinct to them,” DJ said. “So being in the swimming lessons and safety town they recognized that the little girl was in trouble right away.”
Hailed as Heroes
The incredible story quickly made news around the country, and now the two 6-year-old boys are hailed as heroes. “We have received lots of calls, texts and messages from family, friends, coworkers, the twins’ and their brothers’ current and past teachers and coaches, clients and community members who have seen the story all over the U.S.,” said Amy. “They have even forwarded messages from others that were sent to them from people we don’t even know. Even our local firefighters and policemen and women were excited and told them they saw them on TV.”
A Surprise Award
After returning home to Ohio, the boys were also surprised with awards from the Ohio State House of Representatives for their bravery after a swim lesson at the Bowling Green City Pool. “You are certainly to be commended for your courage,” Rep. Theresa Gavarone said.
Ohio’s Finest Citizens
“At a time when many people are content to take a passive role in life, you took an active role in helping a fellow citizen, and you have earned the gratitude of the young girl and her family,” Rep. Theresa Gavarone said to the boys. “Thus, with great pride and satisfaction, we honor you for your heroism and salute you as [two] of Ohio’s finest citizens.”
Doing the Right Thing
“They have been getting lots hugs and high fives everywhere we go. They are very proud of what they did and are gracious for all of the recognition and accolades and beam from ear to ear, but have remained humble and know they did the right thing, just like anyone should when someone is struggling,” said Amy. “I did what I was supposed to do and that’s what I did,” Peyton said.
6-Year-Old Twins Rally to Save Little Girl From Drowning in Public Pool is an article from: LifeDaily