'Little hero' rescued drowning friend from the sea by her hair

Jade McKenna

A 12-year-old girl who dragged her drowning friend out of the sea by her hair after she had a seizure has been called a “little hero”.

Tamika and Sofia-Ann, 14, were paddling at Pensarn beach, Abergele, Conwy, but lost their footing when they were suddenly dragged under water.

Sofia-Ann had a seizure, but quick-thinking Tamika grabbed her long hair and pulled her to the beach.

The teen, who was initially unresponsive, was taken to Ysbyty Glan Clwyd in Bodelwyddan by ambulance.

She had water drained from her lungs, but recovered.

Sofia-Ann’s mum Jade McKenna said: “I’m so grateful for Tamika. She put herself in more danger to save Sofia-Ann, she’s my little hero.”

She added: “Thankfully Tamika acted quickly and grabbed Sofia by her hair to pull her up and on her back to get her out the water.”

The incident happened during the heatwave on 28 May.

The coastguard received reports of three teenagers needing help after being cut off by the tide.

Rescue teams from Rhyl and Llandudno were sent, along with North Wales Police and the Welsh Ambulance Service.

Jade McKenna

Sofia-Ann had more seizures in the ambulance and the cause of them are now being investigated.

“I’m always telling her the dangers of the sea,” said Jade.

“This hit me so hard that I could have lost her,” she added.

“She’s OK now after a week home resting.”

Jade also praised the women at the beach who raised the alarm and helped the girls until the ambulance arrived.

Jeff Buck /Geograph

Tamika’s mum, Shantika, said: “It was quite a shock. The thought will forever haunt me.

“Tamika got dragged under as well but she still focused on Sofia and getting her out of the water.”

She said Jade had told her that without Tamika, she believed her daughter would have died.

“I don’t think Tamika will want to go to the beach for a very long time.

“My biggest fear is drowning,” said Shantika, adding she thought her daughter was “very brave”.