A 10-year-old boy from Oklahoma is being hailed a hero after he saved his mother from drowning when she suffered a near-fatal seizure in their backyard pool.
Security cameras captured the dramatic rescue when Gavin Keeney noticed his mother struggling in the water on August 5 after getting out of the swimming pool.
Gavin told local outlet KTEN that he heard what was a lot of splashing and moving around. He also heard a kind of yelling but also drowning. He looked to where the sound was coming from and saw his mom seizing. Knowing time was of the essence, he immediately jumped in and got his mother back to the ladder.
Gavin often steps in to help her mom deal with seizures
According to Gavin's mom, Lori Keeney, she has seizures almost daily, and her son often steps in to help her deal with them. This, however, was the first time Lori had been able to watch Gavin take care of her during a seizure.
She told KAKE that it is truly an amazing thing to see, and she does not usually get to see him in action and what he gets to do after she has a seizure. Lori said this was the first time she saw it because of the security camera. She added that she has so much pride in him, but at the same time, it was heartbreaking to watch.
The video shows her convulsing in the water as Gavin dives into the swimming pool. He then cradles his mom to hold her head above the water to prevent her from drowning. Lori's dad, who lives next door, quickly arrives to join the rescue, pulling his visibly distressed daughter into his arms.
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Gavin wins another plaque for his quick thinking
Lori said in an interview that she never swims alone. She added that Gavin had just gotten out of the swimming pool and was close by on a porch when her seizure began. Lori was told later that her son never asked for help. She added that her dad heard the dogs barking and immediately ran out to the pool.
Lori said that was when Gavin stepped back, and you can see the moment he got to be a little boy again. She added that her dad pulled them into a group hug as she survived one of the scariest moments of her life.
Gavin was praised for his quick response and was made an honorary member of the Enos/Cardinal Cove Volunteer Fire Department, according to Global News. The honors keep coming for the young hero as he also received a Saving a Life plaque for his quick thinking. This was the second plaque that Gavin received. He got one last year after saving his mother's life when she began choking on food.
