Carol Stream lifeguards lauded for saving 3-year-old
Marta Mims of Carol Stream embraced the teenage lifeguards that saved her granddaughter's life.
"We're all rejoicing today," she said. "This incident could have been an incident that shattered our lives, but we were spared.
"From the bottom of my heart, I just want to thank you all," Mims said.
Carol Stream Fire Protection District honored six young lifeguards with the Lifesaver Award Monday evening. The lifeguards saved a three-year-old girl from drowning July 6 at Coral Cove Water Park in Carol Stream.
The girl, who was under her grandmother's supervision, was found afloat in the shallow end of the pool, which was about three-feet deep. The Carol Stream Park District pool's lifeguards revived the toddler, who wasn't breathing. The girl was transported to Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield, and left shortly after without any problems.
Caitlin Malcolm, Michelle DeSalvo, Nic Abbate, Tom Abell, Jennifer McGinnis and Brandon Metoyer, all of Carol Stream, received the awards.
"I wasn't really looking for an award," said Abbate, 16. "Just knowing that I saved the girl's life was a big enough award."
Still, he was grateful for the recognition.
"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and it feels amazing," Abbate said.
Jennifer McGinnis, also 16, said the situation was scary, but now she's thankful for how things played out and happy for the family.
"It feels amazing," she said. "I never thought something like this would happen to me in my first year of life-guarding, and that I'd manage to step up to the task to help the family."
Lindsay Michael, pool manager said all the lifeguards worked, trained and responded very well throughout the summer.
"They did exactly what they were supposed to do," he said.
Fire officials say it's fantastic to see young adults take on such big responsibilities.
"It's always nice when there's a save involved," said Fire Prevention Director Don Lay. "But it's always refreshing whenever young people are doing extraordinary things."