13-year-old heroes save a girl’s life
By Kirk Tupaj
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UTICA, New York (WKTV) — Two 13-year-old boys jumped into action to save a young girl from drowning while swimming.
Ayham Alzanam and his cousin Alksaam Alterri were on their way to swim when they saw a girl in water about 4 to 5 feet deep struggling.
The boys said the girl may not have realized how deep the water was and started to panic.
“So, there was a couple people here. There were a lot of people here. A lot of grownups, and there were teenagers there. There was one like right next to her. Someone like directly right next to her but did not help,” Ayham Alzanam said.
Older teenagers were nearby watching, but Alzanam and Alterri decided to help.
“I thought she was going to be dead because no one was helping. Like everyone’s just watching and standing there as she’s drowning,” Alzanam said.
The boys pulled the girl to the shoreline, called 911, and started CPR. The girl’s father was nearby and took over CPR.
Ayham’s brother Ayman Alzanam called the boys heroes.
“It’s very concerning that the girl almost died. They’re the only ones that did all the work by calling the police and the emergencies to come,” Ayman Alzanam said.
Ayham’s father Jamil Alzanam said he is proud of his son.
“Ayham is skinny, but he go in the water, and he tried to help the lady and push on her and called the police, and he tried to call me, but I’m working and can’t answer the phone, and he called his mommy,” Jamil Alzanam said.
Utica Police said after three days in the hospital, the girl is expected to make a full recovery.
“They tell me you are a superhero,” Alksaam Alterri said.
“They’re just saying you’re a hero and stuff, and I just say ok because it’s like… it’s the right thing to do. It’s not a hero. It’s the right thing to do,” Ayham Alzanam said.
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