A 13-year-old Buffalo teen is now recovering at home after nearly drowning last week. Larryn Watkins was pulled from the pool at Waterfront School last Tuesday. WBFO's Focus on Education reporter Eileen Buckley says two people are being honored for saving the teen's life.
Watkins was pulled from the pool at Waterfront School last Tuesday. Watkins is not a Waterfront student, but was participating in a recycle boat race. Those responsible for his rescue were honored outside the school in downtown Buffalo. They even held up signs -- 'Lifeguard is a Hero'.
Watkins could not swim and became distressed in the deep end. Teacher Assistant Janine Winterberg spotted the boy in trouble and altered Physical Education Teacher and Lifeguard R. J. Killinger who rescued the teen.
"Well he was on the bottom of the pool and didn't come up. I alerted R.J., 'go get him' and he did," said Winterberg.
"Well he began to breathe immediately as we got him out of the water and got the water out of his lungs. He was struggling to breathe, but he was breathing slowly," said Killinger. "His breathing, more or less, returned to normal by the time the paramedics had arrived there."
"This was a very difficult situation for myself. First time I've been involved in a situation like that and I did the job as I was trained to do to the best of my ability," stated Winterberg.
Buffalo Teachers Federation President Phil Rumore reacted to any speculation of how the incident was handled by the school.
"Anybody that tries to second guess, wasn't there. They weren't there, and I don't care what the video showed or anything else like that. Bottom line -- he saved that child's life. Both of them together, they deserve accolades not questions," said Rumore.
Watkins was placed in a medically induced coma, but has improved. He was released Women and Children's Hospital Friday.
This was the full statement issued by the Buffalo Public School District following the incident:
"At Waterfront #95 after school today, students from school #81 and #95 were taking part in racing boats made of recycled materials, when a middle school student waded into the deep end and was in distress.
The lifeguard and school staff acted quickly and efficiently in clearing the pool, bringing the child out of the water, and calling 911. The student responded, and was soon able to stand and talk. His parents were called, and he was immediately transported to the hospital by ambulance, accompanied by a #95 staff member, for further evaluation.
Principal David Hills has notified administration at School #81 of the incident and the district is arranging for crisis teams to be on hand for students who may have been witness to and frightened by the incident."
School leaders have temporarily closed down the pool at the school. An investigation, which is standard procedure, is underway by the Erie County Health Department. The Health Department does regular inspections of pools. The school district is also conducting an investigation.