A 12-year-old girl named Tamika has been hailed a hero after rescuing her friend Sofia-Ann from drowning at Pensarn beach during a heatwave.
A 12-year-old girl named Tamika has been recognized as a hero for her courageous act of rescuing her friend, Sofia-Ann, who is 14, from drowning at Pensarn beach in Abergele, Conwy. The incident took place on May 28 during a heatwave when the two were paddling in the sea and were unexpectedly pulled under by the waves.
Sofia-Ann experienced a seizure while they were in the water, prompting Tamika to act quickly. She grabbed her friend's long hair and pulled her towards the beach, ultimately saving her life. After the rescue, Sofia-Ann was taken by ambulance to Ysbyty Glan Clwyd in Bodelwyddan, where medical staff drained water from her lungs; fortunately, she recovered from the incident.
Jade McKenna, Sofia-Ann's mother, expressed her heartfelt gratitude towards Tamika, calling her a "little hero." She remarked, "I'm so grateful for Tamika. She put herself in more danger to save Sofia-Ann; thankfully, Tamika acted quickly and grabbed Sofia by her hair to pull her up and on her back to get her out of the water."
The coastguard received multiple reports regarding three teenagers in distress after being cut off by the tide at the beach. As a result, rescue teams from Rhyl and Llandudno, as well as North Wales Police and the Welsh Ambulance Service, were dispatched to assist.
During her transport to the hospital, Sofia-Ann experienced further seizures, and the medical team is currently investigating the cause of these episodes. Jade reflected on the close call, stating, "I'm always telling her the dangers of the sea. This hit me so hard that I could have lost her." She reassured that her daughter is now recovering at home after a week of rest.
In addition to praising Tamika, Jade acknowledged the assistance of beachgoers who alerted authorities and provided support to the girls until help arrived. Tamika's mother, Shantika, shared her shock regarding the incident and noted that Tamika also faced danger during the ordeal but remained focused on rescuing her friend. Shantika conveyed Jade's belief that without Tamika's intervention, her daughter might not have survived the incident.
Reflecting on the traumatic experience, Shantika expressed her fears, saying, "I don't think Tamika will want to go to the beach for a very long time. My biggest fear is drowning," while also commending her daughter's bravery.
