A Manatee County mother is calling her daughter’s pool rescue a miracle after a quick-thinking neighbor and a coordinated team of first responders saved the young girl from a near-drowning.
The Pool Rescue
On May 1, 3-year-old Leila Maynard was found unresponsive in an east Manatee County community pool. Leila’s mother, Zilda Maynard, pulled her from the water. A good Samaritan named Courtney then performed CPR for several minutes before emergency crews arrived to assist.
Zilda Maynard recalled the absolute terror of the moment she found her daughter in the pool. ‘When I saw my baby girl, I was the one who took her out of the water. She looked dead,’ she said.
Coordinated Rescue Efforts
Telecommunicator Colton Horvath received the critical 911 call just six months into his job. Multiple teams, including deputies, emergency medical services, fire personnel, paramedics, and an Aero Med crew, arrived to help.
District Chief Beth Tucciarone praised the good Samaritan’s quick actions. ‘It’s courageous. For anybody to do CPR on a stranger, let alone a child, is incredible, and she’s a true hero,’ Tucciarone said.
The family now refers to the emergency responders as their guardian angels who brought Leila back. The young girl was able to celebrate both her fourth birthday and her life.
Original reporting: Tampa Bay Florida News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
