By Linda Girardi
Sun-Times Media
Young Bradley Anderson swallowed some water as he jumped into a family friend’s pool - but he came up a hero as he rescued a toddler who had entered the pool without a life jacket and without anyone else seeing what happened.
“I jumped in, went under and pushed her up by her arm,” 7-year-old Bradley said, describing how he pulled the 2-year-old girl from the 4-foot-deep pool at a home in Batavia.
Batavia Fire Chief Randy Deicke was notified of the youngster’s life-saving efforts - worthy of a special invitation to the Batavia Fire Station for lunch.
Deicke said there were adults at the party, but no one noticed the 2-year-old near the pool.
“Bradley jumped into the pool and pulled the girl up and she started to cry - no medical attention was required,” Deicke said, telling Bradly his “efforts were instrumental in potentially saving the life of the little girl.”
On Monday, Batavia Mayor Jeff Schielke and aldermen presented Bradley with a city proclamation recognizing his “quick-thinking, proactive and heroic” actions on July 6.
The city council thanked the Batavia boy for turning around a situation that otherwise could have ended with “sad and dire consequences.”
“We are very proud of you and appreciate your valor and heroic efforts. It is monumental action for someone your age,” Schielke said.
Bradley’s parents, Heather and Bradley Anderson, said although their son and his 5-year-old sister are very good swimmers, they were astounded by how quickly Bradley acted.
“I heard coughing and crying . . . turn around and saw my son with a little girl hanging by her arm - it happened that fast,” Bradley’s father said.
“He didn’t even hesitate - it is really amazing,” Heather Anderson said.
As part of his reward, Bradley was given a tour of the Batavia East Side Fire Station, a ride on a fire truck and his favorite sandwich in the firehouse kitchen.
“Bradley wanted a grilled cheese, so all of the firemen had grilled cheese sandwiches that day. It was awesome what they did for us. Bradley has a whole new respect for the fire department,” his mother said. Bradley Anderson, 7, was honored by the Batavia City Council for rescuing a 2-year-old girl. | Linda Girardi~For Sun-Times Media
Copyright 2012 Sun-Times Media, LLC
All Rights Reserved