LAUDERHILL, Fla. – There were hugs and handshakes, gift bags and balloons at a reunion of sorts for an extended family of first responders.
Body camera footage captured the moments Lauderhill rescue crews saved 10-year-old Arianna Graham, who nearly drowned in a pool.
It happened back on May 12.
“It’s just one of those things,” said Lauderhill police Officer Angel Alicea-Vazquez.
Arianna’s uncle had already pulled her from the water and started CPR when first responders arrived.
“I learned CPR in the ninth grade,” said Joseph Miller, the girl’s uncle. “I’m 35 years old, I never forgot. I know it was a lot of chaos around me, but it was slow motion. It seemed like it was just me and her in that moment and I did what I had to do.”
Lauderhill Fire Rescue eventually joined police on scene. The body camera goes black after Alicea-Vazquez scooped the girl up and carried her to waiting medics.
Her condition was critical as she was rushed to the hospital.
“She was on the most critical ventilator that they had in the hospital,” said the girl’s mother, Chekesha Graham.
She said Arianna was hooked up to the machine for two weeks.
“Just according to doctors, they didn’t really think she was going to make it,” said Graham.
Fast forward to Wednesday, where the young girl is alive and healthy and grateful to the first responders who helped save her life.
“I feel like a miracle,” Arianna said. “Thank you for saving me.”