Going to the swimming pool in the summer is almost as American as apple pie but every summer it seems the swimming fun ends in tragedy.
Wednesday afternoon an Upstate pool was the scene of what could have been such a tragedy as a young boy went underwater and apparently drowned. But some quick action by a guardian angel saved the day.
About 35 kids were splashing around the Seneca City Swimming Pool when without warning, 9-year-old Johnnathion Crumpter says he slipped off the ladder and went under water. He could stand in the three foot deep water, but he panicked. His mom was at work and got the worst call she could imagine.
“They said Johnnathion jumped in and drowned and he wasn't breathing... I couldn't breathe. I about fainted at work,” says Laura Crumpter.
Fortunately for Johnnathion and his mother, an angel was near.
Second year lifeguard Antoinette Angell noticed Johnnathion's lifeless body and jumped in.
“When I pulled his body up out of the water and looked at his face and looked at the foam, I thought it was too late. And that was when I was so cold and I felt it was my responsibility for watching out for him. I wanted to do everything I could to bring him back,” says Antoinette.
Antoinette and fellow lifeguard Evan Nowell began performing CPR on Johnnathion.
“He wasn't responding the first minute so we kept trying and then a few seconds after that he opened his eyes… hearing him take his first breath is probably the most amazing thing ever,” says Antoinette.
Johnnathion was taken to the hospital and later cleared to go home.
Johnnathion has a final doctor’s appointment on Monday to make sure he has fully recovered.
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