LONGVIEW (KYTX) - A near drowning happened here at this pool back in June. The teacher who resuscitated the toddler said she hoped to never use her CPR training, but in a critical moment it helped save the life of a child
Maria Lopez and her 10-year-old son George were swimming in the pool at the apartment complex where they live, when Maria noticed a toddler underwater.
"The little kid was already at the bottom of the swimming pool. This woman took him out of the pool and he was laying here," Lopez said.
That's when Maria sprung into action.
As emergency crews raced to the scene, Lopez continued to administer CPR for another seven minutes
Maria says the woman who was supposed to be watching the child does not live at the complex. She said the woman was talking to someone and didn't realize the toddler had removed his floaties.
Fire Marshal Johnny Zachary says without Maria's quick actions the boy would probably not be alive.
Now, the Longview Fire Department plans to recognize Maria for helping save the child's life.
"We're proud that we're able to honor and recognize her as a citizen for doing the right thing at the right time," Zachary said.
Lopez received her CPR training in 2009 from Tyler ISD.
