On Friday, April 7, 2023 around 4 p.m., Crystal Horrocks and her 9 year-old daughter, Kathleen, were enjoying the afternoon at the swimming pool in the Carlton Arms Apartment Complex (7676 Carlton Arms Blvd., Winter Haven).
Little Kathleen noticed a man in the water towards the deep end of the pool who appeared to be struggling a bit. Moments later, Kathleen saw that the man had sank to the bottom and was not moving.
Kathleen alerted her mother who immediately jumped into the pool and brought the man to the surface. With assistance from others at the pool, they were able to lift the man out of the pool. Crystal started preforming CPR and after two rounds of CPR, the man coughed up some water and started to breathe! Fire and EMS personnel arrived a short time later to find the man sitting up and breathing on his own. He was transported to Winter Haven Health as a precaution, but was released with no issues.
“The swift actions, first by this very alert young lady followed by the quick response of her mother, saved this man’s life,” said Winter Haven Public Safety Director Charlie Bird.
As a reminder, we are in the wonderful season of swimming and we encourage everyone to stay alert around any body of water. Now is also a great time to learn CPR for those who don’t know how to already. Check with the local Red Cross or Citizen CPR to find a class near you.