MARICOPA, AZ (AZFamily) — A 16-year-old lifeguard at Copper Sky Aquatics Center in Maricopa is being hailed a hero for rescuing a girl over the weekend.
Davian Herrera said he’s been working at the pool for nearly a month and knows the pressure of being a lifeguard. “You have people depending on you. Really, you have like lives that depend on you,” he said.
On June 7, while Herrera was at work, a child swimming in the pool needed help. A young girl had drifted to a seven-foot-deep section of the pool.
”I noticed that she was swallowing water, so when that happened, I just jumped in immediately, and I was able to grab her,” Herrera said.
Surveillance video shared by the City of Maricopa showed Herrera’s quick actions. The girl’s mother, Natalie Davis, said she took her to the hospital in time and is now okay.
”It could’ve ended in tragedy and we get to wake up and be happy and just keep living our lives,” said Davis.
Davis said her daughter, Jude, is immune-compromised and if she would’ve swallowed more water, it could’ve ended much worse.
“Obviously, this is his job, but without him paying such close attention like it could’ve been more disastrous,” said Davis.
Instead, Jude returned to the pool on Wednesday to have fun in the pool and meet her hero.
“I’m thankful that he save me, and I’m glad it’s not any worse. I’m not scared to swim, and I’m just alive right now,” said Jude.
Herrera said he wasn’t nervous about jumping in to help Jude since it wasn’t his first time rescuing a child. On his first day on the job, May 16, he helped a boy in the same section of the pool where Jude had her near-drowning.
The Maricopa Vice Mayor, Henry Wade, also met Herrera and thanked him. ”The thing about it is it takes a special person to run towards something in danger, and that is exactly what he’s all about,” said Wade.
“Not to say routine, but we train for it,” said Herrera.
He is grateful to have saved two children in his short time on the job, and is happy to see Jude return to the pool. Herrera said Jude’s a brave girl.
”I’ll stay here, continue to do my job, making sure everyone goes home to their families safe,” said Herrera.
See a spelling or grammatical error in our story? Please click here to report it.
Do you have a photo or video of a breaking news story? Send it to us here with a brief description.
Copyright 2025 KTVK/KPHO. All rights reserved.
发表回复