‘Fearless’ 10-year-old girl honored for jumping into pool to save her unresponsive grandpa's life

A brave 10-year-old girl is being celebrated for her courage and quick thinking after she saved her grandfather's life. Aurora Waanounou jumped into the pool at Deer Run Villas after watching her grandfather fall into the water. Aurora's grandpa “was face down in the water” and could not “get his head above water to breathe,” the Glynn County Police Department (GCPD) said in a Facebook post on June 7.

The young girl Aurora advised her grandmother, who is unable to swim, not to jump in to save her grandfather, and instead went in herself. She was "able to muster up the strength and ability to push her grandfather to the edge of the pool" so that her grandmother could help. The two were able to flip her grandfather over and get his head above water. She later jumped out of the pool and called 911 and told dispatchers her grandfather was unresponsive in the pool. “Aurora’s instinct was to fight to save her grandfather’s life and ultimately, she did just that,” the department said, as per PEOPLE.

Interim Chief O’Neal Jackson presented Aurora with the Citizen’s Valor Award “for her acts of bravery” during a medical emergency. "Your act of bravery on June 2, 2023, has been recognized for taking lifesaving steps to save your grandfather from drowning and I would like to thank you for putting your safety at risk during this life-threatening situation," the message on the award read.

Nearly 4,000 people die from accidental drownings each year and at least 8,000 drowning incidents occur in the United States each year per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC). The child's actions helped prevent her grandfather from becoming another statistic.

"Without Aurora’s heroic, fearless, and decisive actions under extremely stressful circumstances, it’s possible that the outcome would have been different," they said. "It was our honor to recognize Aurora for her acts of bravery, and we are pleased to report that her grandfather is out of the hospital and was doing well enough to attend the ceremony recognizing Aurora’s bravery. Please join us in celebrating Aurora for her bravery," they added.

Many well-wishers joined in to praise the young girl's act of bravery. In the comments section, one user said, "Good job, Aurora! You are a brave little girl and a hero!" Another added, "Great job hun!!! Your momma is proud looking down 🥰🤗💐 you're a hero saving ur grandpa that's so awesome!"