By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
The 6-year-old twins are unlikely heroes.
The two blond boys, in their matching swimsuits, rescued a toddler who jumped in the deep end this past weekend at a hotel pool in Florida.
The twins – Bryant and Peyton Switzer – who are taking swimming lessons this week at Bowling Green city pool, talked about the rescue before their class started on Tuesday morning.
“Pretend over here is the shallow end,” Bryant said pointing to the city pool. “She was just playing in it.”
But then the 3-year-old took off her water-wing flotation devices and jumped in the deep end.
The boys were old enough to realize she needed help.
“He jumped in and put his arm around her,” Bryant said of his brother, Peyton. “Then he gave her to me, and I got her out.”
The little girl was frightened, but the twins stayed calm.
“She was a little scared when she was in the deep end,” Bryant said.
The boys’ mom, Amy Walters, of Bowling Green, said they had gone to Orlando, Florida, for a work trip. The twins were in the hotel pool with Walters’ fiancé, D.J. Dieter, when the incident occurred.
“She had seen the big boys playing and splashing around,” and apparently wanted to join in, Walters said of the little girl.
“They didn’t even think twice. They went into action,” Walters said. “We’re very proud of them.”
The toddler’s mom expressed her thanks to the young heroes.
“The mother was extremely grateful,” Walters said.
The boys, she said, are very comfortable in the water.
“They are little fish. They’d live in the water if you’d let them,” Walters said.
Mia Schempf, the twins’ swimming lessons teacher at BG city pool, said the boys are strong swimmers for being so young.
“They are super smart kids,” she said.
It just happened that last week, one of their classes focused on water safety.
“We teach them safety in and around the water,” Schempf said. “It’s awesome they were able to save someone.”
After Monday’s swimming class, the boys’ bravery was recognized by State Rep. Theresa Gavarone, R-Bowling Green, who presented Bryant and Peyton with certificates honoring their heroism.
