12-Year-Old Girl Saves Friend After She Has a Seizure in the Ocean

A 12-year-old saves a friend after she dropped beneath the waves during an ocean swim in 

Pensarn Beach in Abergele, Conwy, Wales. Tamika Hezzell, 12, Sofia-Ann McKenna, 14, and their friend, 12-year-old Ruby Wilikins, were swimming when the tide pulled them out too far from the beach. When Sofia-Ann had a seizure and began to drown, Tamika bravely pulled her to the shore.

12-Year-Old Saves Friend From Drowning

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Tamika saved her life.

"Tamika got hold of her hair and pulled her back up and onto her shoulder," Sofia-Ann’s mother, Jade, said. "Eventually they managed to doggy paddle closer to shore, then started to cry for help as Sofia was unresponsive."

Once they got to shore, a person on the beach administered CPR to Sofia-Ann until emergency personnel arrived. All three girls were taken to the hospital, where Sofia-Ann stayed overnight and had water drained from her lungs. Sofia-Ann and her family do not know why Sofia-Ann experienced a seizure in the water and in the ambulance, and the cause is being investigated.

Both Tamika and Sofia-Ann Suffered Injuries

Jade is still in shock that Sofia-Ann could have died at the beach and is glad that she is now home resting.

Tamika also experienced injury, as her legs hit against rocks in the sea, causing her to struggle to walk without pain. She also had a painful sore throat from swallowing too much seawater. 

Their Parents Are Proud as Can be

"Tamika is my little hero – she put Sofia above herself and acted quickly," Jade said. "Without her and the amazing ladies who helped, my baby wouldn't be here today."

Tamika’s mom, Shantika, is also very proud of her. 

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It’s incredible that Tamika, with nothing else to grasp, quickly thought to grab Sofia-Ann’s hair as she sank. If it weren’t for her, Sofia-Ann would have lost her life. Surely, the two will be forever bonded by this incident, and hopefully, Sofia-Ann’s condition will be diagnosed and treatable.  

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h/t: People

Featured Image Credit: CANVA

Michaela Gordoni is an avid reader and part-time globe-trotter. With a bachelor's degree in International Relations and experience in the non-profit world, she has a passion for people and reporting. You can check out her portfolio here.