Four Year Old Saved From Drowning

Marvin Sweet Rescues Child 

At Swy-a-lana Lagoon

 A four year old girl found face down in local waters this weekend owes her life to the quick actions of an American tourist.

Marvin SWEET, age 48, who hails from Portland Oregon, was in town for the Dragon Boat races when as fate would have it, wandered by Swy-a-Lana-Lagoon in Maffeo Sutton park Saturday around 3 PM. His gaze turned to the nearby waters after hearing a male yelling for help. Much to his shock and horror he looked out and saw the lifeless body of what appeared to be a a small child floating about ten feet off shore.

SWEET raced into the waters and assisted the other male pick up a four year old girl. The incident caught the attention of nearby St John’s Ambulance attendants who took the child from SWEET and began emergency first aid. The child’s was having difficulty breathing and was frothing at the mouth. The child was taken to Nanaimo Regional General Hospital by BC Ambulance where she was treated and made a full recovery.

Officers determined the young girl was with her family when she wandered off for a few seconds and ended up in the water. No charges are pending from the incident.

“ This is a perfect example of how quick a day at the beach can go sideways” said Constable Gary O’Brien, media spokesperson for the Nanaimo RCMP. Parents and care givers are reminded that it only takes seconds and a few inches of water to cause a child to drown. Always keep an eye on your children and if they venture into the water go with them or ensure their movements are closely monitored and you can react quickly to any mishaps” said O’Brien.