Two sisters recognized by first responders after saving boy from drowning in June
Twin sisters who saved an 11-year-old boy in June were honored Tuesday by the American Heart Association.
On June 14 someone found an 11-year-old boy in the Neuse River near Milburnie Dam with his head down in the water.
As the boy was pulled out, Latia Brown ran over and and performed CPR for 10 minutes. Her twin sister, Teimeka Mathis, called 911 and helped guide first responders to their precise location.
On Tuesday the American Heart Association presented the sisters with Heartsaver Hero awards, and the boy they saved was there.
Juelz is alive and well thanks to the sisters' quick action.
They say they HAD to do something.
In July, the sisters were recognized by first responders in Wake County for their efforts, being awarded the RPD Game Changer Award for their quick actions.
“Our inaugural Game Changer Award went to two strong women who stepped up during a very stressful situation, providing life-saving acts to help an unresponsive 11-year-old. Latia and Teimeka’s heroism inspires us in the RPD and the entire city” Police Chief Estella Patterson said in a statement.
In June, after the boy was pulled from the water, the girls initially thought the child was joking around.
"[A] young girl went in the water and picked up a small child," Mathis said. "As we saw her bringing him out of the water, we didn't think he was unconscious, but once she laid him down, he body was lifeless."
Brown ran toward the girl who pulled the boy out and performed CPR on the boy for 10 minutes.
"I just looked at her and then I just ran," Brown, who renewed her CPR certification two months earlier, said. "I have this CPR training, but I never thought I'm going to use it."
It took some time for first responders to find the location, but Mathis' 911 call aided in getting a precise location.
"That day...it's etched in my mind forever," Mathis said.
While the two were grateful for the awards, their main concern was the health of the boy they helped save.
"I don't care about the reward, I really wanted him to just be okay," Mathis said.
