Boy fell into the deep end and began drowning at a pool party—what the birthday boy did stunned everyone
An incident at a pool party during a boy's birthday turned him into a "hero." Everyone was having fun at the birthday party. But then one of the boy's friends, Braxtan Phiri, accidentally jumped into the deep end of the pool. He had lost his footing and was struggling to stay afloat. The birthday boy, Clark Miron, noticed that his friend was struggling and immediately acted to save him from drowning. The two boys were honored by their school in Indiana, per Inside Edition.
"It was his birthday party and I was really excited," Braxtan shared. "So I just jumped in the pool." However, the boy had no idea that he was jumping into the deep end of the pool. It was not possible for him to stand up straight there and he had started drowning. At that moment, Clark had noticed that his friend was drowning and worked to save him. "I saw him drowning. He was, like, not really swimming. So I heard someone say to go get him and I got him." Braxtan came out of the pool safe and sound because of his friend's quick actions. However, it was a really scary sight for the adults who witnessed the moment. Clark's grandmother, Alice Eshelman, had seen the whole incident unfold as well.
"At one point, he went down. He was down, totally under," Alice recounted. "My heart was in my throat. He didn't say a word." She went on, "And I think that was to me, a huge eye-opening experience, that you don't necessarily ask for help when you need help." Their school honored both of them with bravery medals. They believed that Clark's act of jumping in the pool was brave, but Braxtan's courage in managing to stay afloat during that time was big as well. Braxtan really appreciated his friend's gesture that ended up saving his life. "He's like family to me. He's my best friend and I just love to be with him."
People appreciated the bond between the two boys and their bravery in the comments section of the video. However, @laurenj432 had a word of caution to share, "It’s so sad an adult didn’t step in sooner, but it’s so incredible this brave child did instead and it's amazing they both survived. For those who don't know, a child saving a drowning victim is much more dangerous than an adult doing it. Drowning victims will often pull their rescuers down with them in a frantic attempt to get more air. They both easily could have drowned, whereas an adult obviously would have been able to pull them out more easily."
@lottietucker3082 commented, "My prayer is that the world doesn't ruin their innocence and pureness. All they know is love and I hope bitter, hateful people never try to infiltrate and ruin them." @madigan1323 remarked, "A key takeaway from this is something that rescue personnel have told us, that is, that drowning happens quietly. When someone is fighting for their life and they can't get air, they can't necessarily speak or call out for help." @pauletossian1724 shared, "This is so brave and humble of this young kid, in saving his friend from drowning. May all from hereon be blessed and safe, always."