This is the shocking moment when a 7-year-old boy was rescued from drowning at the bottom of an outdoor pool by two fellow children while adults swam by, unaware.
Noah Roche, 12, and his brother Weston Woods, 8, were enjoying a day at an apartment pool in Fenton, Michigan when they spotted 7-year-old Griffin Emerson in grave danger.
Griffin splashed around in his inflatable armbands but decided to take them off and try swimming without them.
Unable to keep his head above the water, he drifted to the deep end and slid beneath the surface of the water.
In chilling surveillance video obtained by the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, bystanders went unnoticed as precious seconds ticked by and Griffin sank deeper into the water.
Until Noah and Weston spotted Griffin’s dim shape in the depths and, without hesitation, threw themselves into the water, determined to save him.
Noah Roche, 12 (center right), and his brother Weston Woods, 8 (right), were enjoying a day at an apartment pool in Fenton, Michigan when they discovered 7-year-old Griffin Emerson (right) in grave danger ( The Mother of two brothers, Sylese Roche, is pictured at left.
Adults are seen swimming and floating on lounge chairs as Griffin sinks to the bottom of the pool
Weston is seen pulling Griffin to the surface before adults come to his aid and lift him out of the pool
Witnessing the horrific scenario unfolding before her, the rescuers’ mother, Sylese Roche, immediately dialed 911 – while Griffin’s mother ran to her boy’s lifeless body and immediately began CPR.
After a few breathless seconds, Griffin coughed, regained consciousness, and was able to breathe again.
His mother is seen gently rubbing his back and helping him expel water from his lungs.
Although Griffin narrowly escaped death, he was immediately hospitalized and monitored for signs of dry drowning or lung infections after inhaling the pool water.
But within just 36 hours, Griffin was discharged from the hospital after a remarkable recovery.
“I was afraid I might drown. It all felt strange. I spat out some water and that was it,” a relieved Griffin later told Good Morning America.
“I saw him and just knew he wasn’t doing well,” Noah said.
“I saw him at the bottom of the pool and then I didn’t know if he was just playing down there or something. So I just told Weston to get in and dive to see if he was okay.’
Griffin is seen lying on the edge of the pool while his mother rushes over to perform CPR
Griffin’s grandmother Michelle expressed her deep gratitude on Facebook, praising Noah and Weston’s actions and thanking the family for saving their grandson
Tom Kinczkowski, Griffin’s grandfather, expressed his heartfelt appreciation to the young rescuers.
“Weston and Noah, you know, they have a special place in my heart.” And they basically saved Griffin. Many of my heroes don’t wear cloaks. And you’re two of them,” Kinczkowski explained.
And Grandmother Michelle took to Facebook to express her deep gratitude, praising Noah and Weston’s actions and thanking the family for saving their grandson.
“These two guys are amazing,” she wrote. “My grandson Griffin would have drowned if it weren’t for those two boys… I’m so grateful to these little heroes and their mother, Sylese Roche, for raising two amazing little boys.”
Genesee County Sheriff Christopher R. Swanson commended the heroic actions of the young rescuers, stating, “Getting him to breathe on his own so quickly is the best possible outcome.” And that’s why we’re celebrating the story.”