1. Dad rescues toddler daughter from drowning in Carolina swimming pool
2. Father saves young girl from near-drowning incident at Carolina pool.
Accident – Death – Obituary News : A heroic father from North Carolina has been praised for his quick actions in saving his 2 1/2-year-old daughter’s life after she experienced a frightening incident in their family’s swimming pool. The heart-stopping scene unfolded on Memorial Day weekend in the city of Gastonia, located approximately 20 miles east of Charlotte.
Surveillance footage released by the Gastonia Police Department captured the moment when the toddler, identified as Mila, suddenly stopped breathing while in the pool. Without hesitation, her father, Matthew Shortridge, leaped into the water, pulled her out, and immediately began administering CPR to revive her.
Reflecting on the harrowing ordeal that took place on May 27th, Matthew Shortridge recalled the panic he felt when he saw his daughter in distress. “My 10-year-old daughter was screaming out Mila’s name, and when I turned around, I saw my little girl floating in the water. I didn’t think twice before jumping in to save her,” he shared.
The girl’s mother, Amy Shortridge, expressed her feelings of helplessness and despair upon learning that her daughter had stopped breathing. “I couldn’t believe what was happening. How could this happen to my baby? How could I go on without her?” Amy Shortridge said in a video released by the police. “When I knelt beside her, she was completely blue and grey.”
Fortunately, the timely intervention of Mila’s father and a nurse who happened to be present at the scene proved to be lifesaving. After performing CPR, Mila’s father was able to get her to start breathing again. He described the moment when he successfully cleared her airway, saying, “Her stomach was filled with air, but when I managed to release it by patting her back, she started crying.”
Following the incident, Mila was rushed to a hospital for further medical attention. The Gastonia Police Department later confirmed that she had made a full recovery, much to the relief of her family and loved ones.
In light of this near-tragic event, authorities emphasised the importance of water safety and preparedness, especially when children are involved. The police department urged families to be vigilant and proactive when near pools, lakes, or beaches, advising them to learn CPR, use life vests, and have a safety plan in place to prevent similar emergencies.
As families across the country heed this important reminder, the story of Mila’s miraculous rescue serves as a poignant reminder of the life-saving impact of quick thinking and preparedness in moments of crisis.
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1. Dad saves toddler daughter from drowning
2. Dad rescues daughter from pool incident.
