7-year-old hailed hero after saving drowning toddler in pool

A 7-year-old Sacramento boy is being praised for his heroics after he swam down a deep pool to save a drowning toddler. According to ABC News, the incident happened at an apartment complex where Massiah Browne stays.

The second-grade student and his relatives were swimming at the pool when he noticed the toddler was underneath the water. “I was just playing in the pool and then I saw a boy at the bottom of the pool,” Massiah told Good Morning America. “And I went to go get him.”

The second-grade student was swimming with a 9-year-old relative at the time of the incident. His mother, Tiara Delvalle, said her son swam six feet down to pull the toddler up to the surface of the water. She said she quickly went to the pool after she was notified about the incident.

Massiah said he swam down to rescue the 3-year-old boy after he noticed he was under the water with his mouth and eyes open. After he managed to pull the toddler to the surface of the pool, his 9-year-old relative moved the minor to the pool deck. They were subsequently helped by adults before they called 911.

“Savannah [Massiah’s 9-year-old relative] brought him to his mom and then they did CPR on the boy and then they called the doctor,” Massiah recalled. 

A Sacramento Fire Department spokesperson told ABC News that the toddler was breathing when first responders got to the apartment complex pool. The spokesperson also said bystanders at the pool administered CPR on the toddler before the first responders arrived. 

“The child was transported in critical condition with advanced life support efforts provided by Sacramento firefighters,” the spokesperson added.

Delvalle said the toddler is OK, and she has been communicating with his mother. “It’s a miracle,” she said.

Massiah’s father, Marcus Browne, also praised his son. He said that even though his 7-year-old is a very good swimmer, he was still surprised when he got to know about his heroics.

“I just couldn’t believe it,” Browne said. “He’s a good kid.”