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LEHI — A child almost drowned while swimming in an apartment pool in Lehi, but a complete stranger ran to her rescue and saved her life. Lehi City honored him Tuesday night with the Citizen Lifesaver Award.
Professional golfer Marcus Burbank was at the Cresthaven Apartments pool with his children on June 27 when he heard screams.
"I remember looking down and she was face down in the swimming pool," said Nesha Smith, mother of the victim.
Nesha's 3-year-old daughter, Aliyah, was blue in the face and not breathing. Aliyah's father, Derek Smith, tried to pump her stomach, but his daughter remained motionless.
"I was scared out of my mind," said Derek said.
Noticing the commotion, Burbank ran over and started CPR.
"I couldn't find a pulse on her," Burbank said.
After about a minute of CPR, Aliyah started to breathe, Burbank said.
"All I could say was keep breathing baby, keep breathing," Nesha said. "I could lose her. There is no way I could lose her.
Aliyah was rushed to the hospital. She suffered no injuries and she is currently in good health.
"She's been happy and bouncing and singing and dancing and back to normal," Nesha said.
Burbank was honored at the Lehi City Council meeting Tuesday night with the Citizen Lifesaver Award. And Aliyah helped present the award, meeting Burbank for the first time after he saved her life.
But Burbank said he doesn't need the recognition. He learned CPR two years ago — thinking he'd never have to use it — so he just wants other people to get certified in case someone else needs to be saved.
"A couple minutes makes a big difference," Burbank said.
