Teen Saved From Drowning By 11-Year-Old Hero

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DEERFIELD BEACH (CBSMiami) -- A 13-year-old girl is in critical condition but alive after another child saved her from drowning.

Rescue crews from the Broward Sheriff's Office rushed the teenager to the hospital following the near drowning in a community pool at the Highlands mobile home park.

Officials told CBS4's Donna Rapado that the pool was closed Sunday and its gates were locked. No one was supposed to be on the deck or in the pool.

And yet, about a dozen kids and a couple of adults were.

"She was unconscious, found at the bottom of the pool which is about 8 feet deep," said B.S.F.R. spokesman Mike Jachles.

11-year-old Angel Rivera jumped in and pulled the girl to the surface. The adults called 911 and started CPR efforts.

Rescue crews were forced to jump the pool's fence to get to the teen quickly.

"I'm gonna always remember that lesson," said Rivera. "Some kids think they're cool 'cause they're not around their parents. They're like, 'oh I'm gonna do this and I'm gonna do that.' But that's the lesson learned today. You need an adult or a lifeguard to be with you. At that moment you never know."

Jachles stressed the importance of having adults around, especially as swim season kicks off.

"As we head into Memorial Day and the summer season, we do not want to see any drownings," Jachles pointed out. "This should be a message for people about water safety. Water watchers, swim instructors, there is no substitute for direct adult supervision."