Boy helps save 3-year-old from drowning in Arden Hills, Minn.
ARDEN HILLS, Minn. (KMSP) - It was quick thinking that saved a three-year-old girl from drowning at Lake Johanna over Memorial Day weekend, with credit rightfully going to 11-year-old Everett Melling for noticing that something wasn't quite right.
When he saw a girl free-floating at the popular summer spot in Arden Hills, Melling's first thought she was doing the "dead man's float." It didn't take long, though, to realize she was in trouble.
“He just came up to me real quiet and real calm," said his mother, Elena Melling. "He pointed out into the water and said, 'Mom is that a body?' And I said, 'What?'”
Police said several other adults sprung into action after Everett's discovery, pulling the three-year-old out of the water and starting CPR. Luckily, soon after being removed from the lake she threw up water and regained breathing.
“It was very tense waiting, we basically just plunked her down on the sand and prayed that God would heal her and that she would be ok,” Elena Melling said.
The girl's grandfather contacted Everett and his mother Wednesday to tell them that she's back to her normal self, thanks to some quick thinking--welcome news for both families.
“I just kept telling him you’re my hero," Elena Melling said. "It’s such a blessing to have a child that is aware and cares about those around him.”