Hero brother saves his sister from drowing at New Brighton’s Marine Lake

Jul 15 2009 by Helen Hunt, Heswall News

A YOUNG hero saved his three-year-old sister from drowning when she fell into a lake on a family day out.

Warren Smillie, 12, of Wallasey, ran to rescue Stephanie when he saw her stumble back and plunge into the water at New Brighton.

Mum Clare could only watch in horror as her youngest daughter disappeared beneath the surface of the water.

But cool-headed Warren, a pupil of Mosslands school, pulled her out and dragged her to safety at the side.

Stephanie, who had been paddling, was not breathing when she came out but an unknown woman stepped out from the crowds and slapped Stephanie several times on the back, after which the youngster took a gasp of breath.

Mum-of-six Clare, 36, of Eaton Street, said: “She had just disappeared under the water as Warren pulled her up.

“I just froze. I could not believe what I was seeing. I was in a state of panic.

“Warren was stroking her head and saying ‘Stephanie, listen to me, Stephanie, Stephanie’.

“Then she turned around and looked at him. If it was not for Warren, I would not have her now. He is my absolute superstar.”

The family had gone down to the Marine Lake on June 28, for a relaxing afternoon.

Because it was a hot day, Clare let children Caprice, 11, Genevieve, six, Stephanie and her twin Laurance play in the water.

Warren was sitting on the sand with Clare, as she watched Stephanie come out from the shallow part of the lake and fall back.

Warren then suddenly started running.

She said: “Never in my life have I seen someone move so quickly. His legs were going 10 to the dozen and he went in with all his clothes on, even his shoes. He went straight into the water and got her.”