A 12-year-old schoolgirl has been hailed as a hero after saving her friend's life when the pair were swept out to sea in North Wales. Tamika Hezzell pulled Sofia-Ann McKenna, 14, from the water after she began having multiple epileptic fits while being battered by the waves.
Heroic rescue at Pensarn Beach
The dramatic incident unfolded at Pensarn Beach in Abergele, Conwy county, at the end of a heatwave. Tamika, Sofia-Ann, and another friend, Ruby Wilkins, 12, had wandered onto the drive-on beach on Thursday evening. While in the water, they lost their footing after being pulled out by the tide.
Tamika described how she grabbed Sofia-Ann by the hair and pulled her to the surface, then began doggy-paddling her back to shore. As they reached shallower water, emergency services and a passing beachgoer met them. The beachgoer administered CPR before both girls were taken to hospital.
Mother's gratitude
Sofia-Ann's mother, Jade McKenna, expressed immense gratitude: "If it wasn't for Tamika getting Sofia up and out the water, by putting her on her back, she wouldn't be with us today. When Sofia started to fit, Tamika did all she could do to keep Sofia above the water."
Jade added: "Tamika is my little hero - she put Sofia above herself and acted quickly. Without her and the amazing ladies who helped, my baby wouldn't be here today."
Witness accounts
Horrified onlookers described hearing the girls' "piercing screams" from the packed beach between their gasps for air. A woman and her mother, who helped the trio, said: "Their screams for help when they caught their breath were piercing and quite terrifying. As they were scrambling on each other, the panic set in quickly."
Hospital treatment
Both girls had swallowed large amounts of seawater. They were taken to Ysbyty Glan Clwyd in Bodelwydden for assessment. Sofia-Ann was found to have water on her lungs and was due to return for further checks. Doctors are also investigating why she suffered fits. Tamika was discharged the following morning but struggled to walk for several days due to leg injuries from rocks.
Mothers' relief
Tamika's mother, Shantika Hezzell, said: "When I got that phone call, I went to pieces. The relief is unreal. I'm incredibly nervous about open water. I'm also super proud of what Tamika did for Sofia." Ruby's mother, Sally, found her daughter in an ambulance being treated for cuts and scratches. "Ruby told me she went under and couldn't touch the floor. She said her vision went black and she went into a panic attack," Sally said.
The incident coincides with The Mirror's 'Save Lives for Sam' campaign, which aims to prevent the deaths of 33 children who drown in England each year.
