American Red Cross Recognizes Profiles in Courage
Larry H. Parker and friends would like to commend
Antonio Vazquez and Kyle Lewis for their act of selfless bravery.
Five friends, students at Sussman Middle School in Downey, celebrated their eighth grade promotion at the beach in Seal Beach. Antonio, Kyle, and Jesus went swimming while the other two remained on the beach. The two friends on the beach saw that Jesus was in trouble. They yelled at Kyle and Antonio, telling them that Jesus was struggling. Jesus went under the water several times.
Kyle made his way to Jesus across a strong crosscurrent to hold up Jesus' dead weight. Antonio then swam over to hold Jesus while Kyle went ahead to shallower water. From there, both boys pushed and pulled Jesus to the beach. At first, Jesus walked from the water aided by his friends, but collapsed, vomited water, and fell unconscious. Antonio called 911. Long Beach lifeguards responded in five minutes and called the Coast Guard for a helicopter. Jesus was airlifted to the hospital where he was hospitalized overnight with bruises to his spinal cord. He recovered fully with physical therapy.
Antonio Vazquez is the son of Larry H. Parker employee Tina Vazquez. Antonio and Kyle received Youth Good Samaritan awards from the American Red Cross' Bravo for Bravery program, recognizing extraordinary acts of courage.
Antonio Vazquez and Kyle Lewis for their act of selfless bravery.
Five friends, students at Sussman Middle School in Downey, celebrated their eighth grade promotion at the beach in Seal Beach. Antonio, Kyle, and Jesus went swimming while the other two remained on the beach. The two friends on the beach saw that Jesus was in trouble. They yelled at Kyle and Antonio, telling them that Jesus was struggling. Jesus went under the water several times.
Kyle made his way to Jesus across a strong crosscurrent to hold up Jesus' dead weight. Antonio then swam over to hold Jesus while Kyle went ahead to shallower water. From there, both boys pushed and pulled Jesus to the beach. At first, Jesus walked from the water aided by his friends, but collapsed, vomited water, and fell unconscious. Antonio called 911. Long Beach lifeguards responded in five minutes and called the Coast Guard for a helicopter. Jesus was airlifted to the hospital where he was hospitalized overnight with bruises to his spinal cord. He recovered fully with physical therapy.
Antonio Vazquez is the son of Larry H. Parker employee Tina Vazquez. Antonio and Kyle received Youth Good Samaritan awards from the American Red Cross' Bravo for Bravery program, recognizing extraordinary acts of courage.
