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Hero Wirral brother saves his sister from drowning at New Brighton’s Marine Lake


A YOUNG hero saved his three-year-old sister from drowning when she fell into a lake on a family day out.

Warren Smillie, 12, of Wallasey, ran to rescue his sister Stephanie when he saw her stumble back and plunge into the water at New Brighton.

Their mum Clare Naylor could only watch in horror as her youngest daughter disappeared beneath the surface of the water.

But cool-headed Warren, a pupil of Mosslands school, managed to pull her out and drag her to safety at the side of the lake.

Stephanie, who had been paddling, was not breathing when she came out but a woman, unknown to the family, stepped out from the crowds.

After she slapped Stephanie several times on the back, the youngster took a gasp of breath.

Mum-of-six Clare, 36, of Eaton Street, said: “She had just disappeared under the water as Warren pulled her up.

“I just froze. I could not believe what I was seeing. Everyone was around me and I was in a state of panic.

“He just pulled her out and this lady we do not know got hold of her and slapped her back, because she wasn’t breathing at this point.

“Warren was stroking her head and saying ‘Stephanie, listen to me, Stephanie, Stephanie’.

“Then she turned around and looked at him.

“If it was not for Warren, I would not have her now.

“He is my absolute superstar.”

The family had gone down to the Marine Lake on Sunday, June 28, for a relaxing afternoon.

Because it was a hot day, Clare let her children Caprice, 11, Genevieve, six, Stephanie and her twin Laurance play in the water.

Warren was sitting on the sand with Clare, asking her if he could go on a water ride, as she watched Stephanie come out from the shallow part of the lake and fall back.

Warren then suddenly started running.

She said: “Never in my life have I seen someone move so quickly. His legs were going 10 to the dozen and he went in with all his clothes on, even his shoes.

“He went straight into the water and got her.

“Thankfully he did not go on that ride. It does not bear thinking about what could have happened.”

An hour-and-a-half later, Stephanie had made a full recovery.

She and Laurance celebrated their fourth birthdays yesterday.

THE ECHO

Well done to the boy! She was very lucky her brother was looking out for her.

Vini

Where's his photo??
We're quick enough to shout about the bad things.
Let's hear it for the lad

Yeah! Well done lad! Wot a hero!

Well done that young lad.

Well done young man!! You're an absolute credit - there should be more like you

I am a firm believer that Basic Life Saving Skills should be taught at school.

They are..

Swimming lessons... learnt all that stuff, however if hed done it by the "Rules", unfortunately his sister would have more than likely drowned... as you are never perosnally allowed to dive in after them

I think it may have only been the higher class swimmers (such as myself) who learnt all the techniques....as I dont remember many others doing them!

don't get what you mean?

I would of been utter useless at saving the young child. I was only ever taught to swim in my pyjamas!

We were always told to never go into the water with the victim, but to stay at the waters edge and try and reach them with wet articles of clothing, or just your bare arm.

You had to ring 999 and let them deal with it, to prevent there being 2 casualties.

Stupid rule in Hindsight.

Fantasic go warren He should get a hero badge or summit