DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla. (WSVN) — A South Florida boy is being hailed a hero after he dove in to save a teenage girl who, officials said, nearly drowned at the bottom of a private community swimming pool, Sunday evening.
According to Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue, the girl and her sisters jumped the fence to get into the pool area at Highlands Mobile Park, located along Northeast Second Avenue in Deerfield Beach.
Shortly after, 11-year-old Angel Rivera said he heard screaming and went to see what was happening. "They were screaming, and I’m like, ‘What happened?’ And then I just see a girl all the way at the bottom drowning," he said.
"I saw her like floating on the floor, just like a star, she was all the way at the bottom sinking," Angel continued.
At first, Angel said the girl’s sisters thought she was playing a joke on them. "They saw her at the bottom, and they thought she was just playing," he said.
However, it didn’t take long to realize this was no laughing matter. Angel said he didn’t think twice before diving in the pool. "Her sisters, they didn’t know how to swim as good, so then I went and I jumped in," he said.
The boy said he was able to reach the girl, who was at the deep end of the pool. "What I did was, when she was down on the bottom, I picked her up, I took her, and then I had to save her life ’cause her sisters were screaming," he said. "They’re all screaming, like, ‘My sister, my sister! Wake up, wake up!’"
Angel then brought the 13-year-old, later identified as Usely Michel, to the top of the pool. "I’m thinking, like, ‘Wow, is she OK?’ And then as soon as I lifted her up I got scared, because I thought she died," said Angel.
It is unclear how long Usely was at the bottom of the pool. "She looked like she was dead," said Violeta Rivera, Angel’s mother. "She wasn’t breathing. Her eyes were white."
By the time rescue crews arrived at the scene, just before 5:45 p.m., a neighbor had begun chest compressions on Usely. "She was, like, trying to fight for her life ’cause she was opening her eyes, and the guy was pumping, pumping," said Anthony Rivera, Angel’s father.
Rescuers took over and continued administering CPR. Witnesses said the victim had water in her lungs. "She was throwing up all that water. Here eyes kept opening like she wanted to be here," said Violeta.
Crews were able to resuscitate Usely. "Fortunately, the girl started to breathe on her own, which is a good sign. She was transported to Broward Health North in critical condition," said Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue spokesperson Mike Jachles.
"I don’t know what’s happening at the hospital right now, but I hope, for her, that everything will go well," Angel said shortly after the incident.
Officials said the pool was closed at the time of the incident. "This pool is open Monday through Friday. The hours are posted," said Jachles.
As of Monday, officials said, Usely is conscious and speaking at the hospital. She is expected to make a full recovery.
"It feels like God’s watching me right now, looking at me, thanking me," said Angel. "I saved somebody’s life for the day. I mean, crazy things happen."
Usely’s stepmother said she’s grateful for Angel. She said, if he hadn’t come to her stepdaughter’s aid, this story could have had a very different outcome.
Angel said the entire ordeal only lasted a few minutes, but it’s left a memory he’ll carry for a lifetime. "I learned a good lesson today: never swim in the pool without an adult," he said.
Broward Sheriff’s Office investigators said there is no evidence of foul play or child neglect.
Officials said the incident serves as an important reminder to observe caution while using a swimming pool and to ensure children remain under constant adult supervision.