Mykah Stewart with his Water Safety Hero award
Hero brother saves little sister in Yandeyarra
A ten-year-old boy from Yandeyarra is being hailed a hero after saving his little sister from drowning in a pool in South Hedland. In February, Mykah Stewart was playing in a caravan park pool with his family when his toddler sister jumped into the deep end.
Recognising the danger his sister was in, Mykah implemented his Swim and Survive skills, and jumped in after her. After pulling her to safety, Mykah alerted his family who called for an ambulance, with paramedics arriving soon after. The toddler was taken to hospital for observation where she made a full recovery.
Mykah’s swim instructor and Yandeyarra pool manager, Sandra McKenzie, says the ten-year-old’s actions saved his little sister’s life. “He remained calm and acted quickly with skills he learned in Swim and Survive. This is proof our water safety program has saved a life,” she says.
Mykah learned these essential skills at the local Yandeyarra pool, which is part of Royal Life Saving’s Remote Aboriginal Swimming Pool Project. The program aims to ensure isolated communities can access educational swimming programs which are crucial for preventing drowning. Thanks to the ongoing support by Department of Communities, with additional support provided by Principal Community Partner BHP.
In recognition of Mykah’s brave actions, Royal Life Saving has presented him with a Water Safety Hero award, which Mykah received at his pool’s end-of-season afternoon tea.
“Mykah is an amazing little guy who is so deserving of this award. We have had a great season and the Yandeyarra kids are proving that Swim and Survive is creating strong kids who are great swimmers,” said Sandra.
Royal Life Saving would like to commend Mykah for his heroic efforts which prevented an accident from turning into a tragic situation. It is apparent that he is a most deserving recipient of the Water Safety Hero award, and we look forward to seeing what is next for this young hero.
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