Tiny Hands Pull Drowning Toddler from Creek Moments Before Water Fills Her Lungs
Water safety awareness is crucial, especially during the summer months. Parents, in particular, have to be constantly on guard when there’s water nearby.
A drowning accident can happen anywhere. In the pool, at the lake or even in the bathtub. It takes moments for a child to drown.
Thankfully, one drowning accident ended with a positive outcome thanks to a young hero on watch.
Alexander Golovchuk is just a boy, but his age and size didn’t stop him from acting upon his very mature instincts.
He and his family were visiting Paddy’s Creek at Lake James State Park in North Carolina. All seemed well until Alexander noticed something was off.
Bogdan Golovchuk, Alexander’s father, explained, “[Alexander] said to my wife, ‘Mama, there’s a baby…’ He’s always curious… and he always likes to double check.”
It was Alexander’s double-checking that saved a little girl’s life. 18-month-old Dulce Estrella Ajqui Toj was facedown in the water and unconscious when the young boy found her.
Alexander pulled her from the creek and carried her onto the beach, where adults quickly stepped in to help.
Lifeguard Samantha Haycraft performed CPR. As soon as Dulce became conscious, she was rushed to Carolinas HealthCare System Blue Ridge.
Once stable, the toddler was transferred to Levine Children’s Hospital. Alexander and his family hope she’s okay and wishes to take her a gift.
The current condition of Dulce is unknown at this time. Our prayers are with the little girl and her family as she recovers from the ordeal.
And it seems the Golovchuk family will be praying too. “I really believe that God saved her. It wasn’t us. We did very little,” Bogdan Golovchuk commented.
And as for beachgoers, the family and park rangers want everyone to be extra careful in the future.
“Water safety is our utmost concern here at the park…” Park Ranger James Cameron said. “…adult supervision is critical whether or not lifeguards are on duty. Somebody needs to be watching.”
Wise words to live by. Hopefully this story will serve as a reminder to anyone headed to the beach or lake this summer. Keep an eye out. You never know what could happen in a second.
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