Hero brother saves drowning sister

An heroic seven-year-old Marlborough boy has today been honoured for his bravery after saving his little sister from drowning.

Waikawa Bay School pupil Riley Drummond was surprised earlier this morning at a special assembly.

The brave youngster was given an ASB Super Saver Bravery Award by Marlborough St John Paramedic Tony Cronin and ASB School Account Manager, Anna O’Hagen.

And his five-year-old sister Ella Drummond watched on proudly as Riley was given a golden superhero cape and certificate.

St John rural support officer Tony Cronin says Riley did everything right.

“He's recognised an emergency, a crisis with his sister and he's helped her to safety and got adults to take care of her," he says.

“St John is very proud of what he is done, his family is proud and I'm very proud.”

In April Riley and his family were having fun at a public swimming complex in Waikato, on the North Island.

Mum Mel Drummond says they believe Ella had followed her brother back to the pool when he went to say goodbye to a friend.

A mix-up over who had her almost turned to tragedy.

“I came out of the changing room after getting dressed and walked around the corner to see Riley coming out of the pool holding Ella flopped in his arms, yelling to dad for help,” says Mel.

“I just stood there and screamed. Pete started doing CPR and my screaming alerted everyone in the pool area that something was wrong.

“We had off-duty nurses in the complex who raced over. One of them took over CPR while Pete did the breaths. Someone phoned 111. Pete knew how to do CPR as he’d done a St John first aid course.”

Riley had spotted Ella, who was born with Williams Syndrom, motionless at the bottom of the deep end of the pool.

He swam down and managed to grab her by the foot and pulled her until he could touch the floor and carry her out.

“Pete grabbed Ella and she was completely blue and lifeless,” Mel says.

“I had told Pete that I would go get changed then get the kids changed one by one.

“Riley had made a friend and asked if he could say goodbye to him. We think Ella just followed him in.

“Pete presumed I had her, and I presumed Pete had her.

After a few rounds of CPR, miraculously, Ella regained consciousness, vomiting water but still not breathing.

“Another round of CPR, more vomiting and then she started screaming. It was very, very close,” says Mel who believes Riley reached his sister just in time.

Ella, who has Williams Syndrome, was treated at the scene by St John ambulance officers and flight medics from the local rescue helicopter service before being airlifted to hospital.

Williams Syndrome is characterised by medical problems, including cardiovascular disease, developmental delays, and learning challenges. These often occur side by side with striking verbal abilities and highly social personalities.

The youngster who has already endured four heart surgeries in the first year of her life has recovered well from the terrible accident.

“That was by far the scariest,” says Pete.

“Our little man is an absolute hero. He’s saved his sister’s life; we couldn’t be prouder of him.”

Mel says that since the incident Riley has been extra protective of his sister.

“He’s pretty traumatised by it to be perfectly honest … and we’ve sought professional help” says Mel, who says Riley needs constant reassurance.

“He needs to know he saved her life. He kept asking things like, “What if I wasn’t there mum,” and “Dad, did I do a good thing? Is that what you would’ve done Dad?” We keep saying, “Mate you were there, and you saved her. Don’t think about what could’ve been.””

A month on from the incident, Riley is now coming to understand his lifesaving actions.

“He said to us the other day, “So mum, what I did for Ella, does that wipe out any of the naughty things I've done in the past?” says Mel, who has assured Riley that his bravery trumps it all.

St John Head of Community Education, Jacci Tatnell says the seven-year-old is a wonderful example of how young children can save lives.

“Riley’s lifesaving actions affirms the importance of teaching basic first aid to every child in New Zealand.

“That is why we are committed to delivering our ASB St John in Schools programme to tamariki throughout Aotearoa.

“We know that equipping children with the skills and confidence to take action in an emergency will save lives and build stronger, more resilient communities.”