Brother, sister honored for saving boy from drowning in Idaho Falls
Published at | Updated atEDITOR’S NOTE: EastIdahoNews.com is teaming up with the American Red Cross of Greater Idaho to honor ordinary individuals who have done extraordinary things to help others.
The winners of the 2016 East Idaho Real Heroes awards were announced at the American Red Cross’s annual luncheon Thursday, Feb. 25. Each day, through March 7, EastIdahoNews.com will feature a different winner.
IDAHO FALLS — An Arizona woman and her brother, an Idaho Falls resident, are being called heroes after they saved a four-year-old boy from drowning at Gem Lake Sunday afternoon.
Brandon Olsen, Alicia Galbreath and Alicia’s family had just pulled into a dock at Gem Lake around 4:00 p.m. after an afternoon of boating when Alicia noticed a little boy face down in the water.
Brandon quickly grabbed the boy and pulled him from the water. He was not breathing, he was unresponsive, he had no pulse and he was blue.
Alicia, who is CPR certified, immediately started CPR. Alicia’s son, Sheldon, called 911 while Alicia gave the boy mouth-to-mouth and chest compressions.
LISTEN: 911 CALLS RELEASED AFTER CHILD NEARLY DROWNS IN IDAHO FALLS
After two minutes, the boy took finally a breath and spit out water.
His mother, who had been on shore, was by his side. “She just started bawling,” Olsen said. “After she recognized it was her kid, I’m sure it hit her like a tidal wave.” EMTs arrived within minutes and the boy was taken to the hospital in stable condition.
OTHER EAST IDAHO HERO RECIPIENTS
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