Alexis Edall is being hailed as a hero after saving a toddler from drowning earlier in July.
Edall was paddling on a floaty in the deep end of a local pool when she saw a three-year-old fall into the water.
“The toddler was straight up and down when she stepped into the water and began to sink,” explained Edall’s mother. “Alexis dove off of her floaty, swam down to the little girl, pulled her up and swam her to the side of the pool.”
The incident happened at a backyard pool party where all the proper precautions were being taken.
Children were wearing personal flotation devices and there were adults in the pool to play with and supervise the kids.
The toddler’s personal flotation device was briefly removed after exiting the pool.
“This is an absolutely amazing story and successful rescue performed by a young hero,” said YMCA senior aquatic manager Randall Wight. “Her immediate reaction demonstrates the critical need for swimming, survival and emergency response skills programs.”
According to the 2016 Canadian Drowning Report, there have been fewer water-related deaths in Canada over the past two decades.
Unfortunately, the Thompson-Okanagan has seen its fair share of recent incidents with 46 reported drownings in the past eight years.
Edall will be recognized for her heroics in a ceremony at H2O Adventure and Fitness Centre on Wednesday.
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