SNOHOMISH — Jonah Urie’s grandmother taught him to swim in Blackmans Lake.
Jonah is 11, and his brother, Zeke, is 9. He’s used to being around younger children in the water. He knows to keep an eye on them.
On Saturday afternoon, the boys’ dad asked if they wanted to go to the Easter egg hunt at the Snohomish Aquatic Center. Jonah was riding bikes with a friend but decided to tag along.
Andrew Urie thinks his son was meant to be at the pool that day.
After the egg hunt, Jonah saw a 4-year-old struggling in the water. Moments later, the younger boy was face-down.
Jonah grabbed him under the arms and pulled him out.
“It was just an instinct,” he said.
When the lifeguard took over, Jonah saw the boy was turning blue. Pool guests, including a nurse, helped the lifeguards provide CPR until firefighters arrived.
“I was trying to keep my face as calm as possible,” Jonah said.
The 4-year-old started breathing again. The Uries have gotten word that he’ll be OK.
Jonah wasn’t sure he wanted to share his story, but “kids need to know what to do in a situation like this,” he said.
He likes Harry Potter, playing the trumpet and walking with friends on the Centennial Trail. He’s planning a lemonade stand for summer.
At the pool, Jonah was scared but matter-of-fact, Snohomish Fire Chief Ron Simmons said.
He recognized something was wrong, took action and probably saved a life, the chief said. Work has started on a commendation.
Jonah knows he can’t avoid all the fuss.
“I’m fine with it as long as it doesn’t go to my head,” he said.
Rikki King: 425-339-3449; rking@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @rikkiking.
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