It’s a classic case of heroism, right down to the modesty.
Several Musselman’s Lake men are being credited with saving the life of a 13-year-old Brampton boy, but they remain humble about the entire situation.
“We did it because we were there,” Sean Petts, one of the rescuers, said. “We just did what anyone else would have done.”
Around noon Sunday, the Brampton boy was swimming in unsupervised waters at Cedar Beach on Musselman’s Lake when he went under.
Glenn Luason and Mr. Petts, both 20, were sitting nearby with some friends when they said they heard people yelling someone was drowning.
The boys and a couple of their friends ran down to the water where Mr. Petts said the boy had gone underwater.
“It all happened in the blink of an eye,” he said, adding he held the boy’s head while several of his friends began CPR.
Josh Hiltz, a friend of Mr. Petts and Mr. Lauson. went into the water first and pulled the boy, who had no vital signs, out of the 20-foot deep water and on to a nearby water trampoline, said Mr. Petts.
George Karpouzis, owner of Cedar Beach Variety Store, also ran to assist the boy, leaving his store wide open.
“As I was running, I was on the phone with 911 and I saw some boys already performing CPR,” he said. “(The boy) wasn’t breathing when I got there, so I joined in the (CPR) process. One good push and he came back.”
Mr. Hiltz, Mr. Lauson and Mr. Petts all have CPR training.
The group revived the boy as park staff and paramedics arrived on the scene. The boy was transported to Markham Stouffville Hospital.
Chris Appleton of Toronto also helped, police said.
Mr. Karpouzis, who was praised by police for his actions, said there’s a lesson to be learned.
“Parents should not let their kid play in water without supervision,” he said, adding the park allows for the free use of life-jackets to anyone who wants one.
While this story had a happy ending, two men died last year while swimming in the lake during separate incidents.
“It was a huge sense of community relief,” he said. “We have heroes here. They’re good local boys.”
As for the Mr. Petts and Mr. Lauson, they’re just happy they were able to help.
“It was the most adrenaline-pumping thing I’ve ever done,” Mr. Petts said.
“I’m just glad the kid survived,” Mr. Lauson said.
Const. Mike Albright of York Regional Police knows the area well through his work and recreational pursuits.
“We want to emphasize that it’s a swim-at-your-own-risk area,” said the officer, who checked on the boy’s condition in hospital Sunday night.
“But, it’s good to see there are still people out there who are willing to go above and beyond to help others.”