Three-year-old Parikshith Kumar runs poolside, so full of life; his high-pitched laughter fills the air. It’s hard to believe that just Monday, he was at the same poolside, limp and not breathing.
“My brain was completely frozen and my body was not moving,” the boy’s father, Yathindra Kumar described the terrifying moments after the toddler had wiggled out of his life jacket and gone under water at the Northville apartment complex pool.
“I was just praying God, that he will be OK.”
Ryan Kilgore, a 21-year-old Wayne State University student, was working out nearby, and in the critical seconds that followed, he ran to the boy’s aid and performed CPR.
“I never thought I’d have to do anything like this and when it did happen, I never thought I’d have to step in and do it,” Kilgore said.
Three rounds of rescue breaths and chest compressions later, the boy spit up water and regained consciousness, just as firefighters, paramedics and police arrived. The family rushed to the hospital, and Kilgore thought he’d never see them again.
But the Kumars, who had been thinking about the poolside hero ever since Monday evening, weren’t going to let his actions go unnoticed.
“We’re fortunate that he was right there at the right moment, otherwise we cannot imagine what would be the situation,” Kumar said.
They didn’t have Kilgore’s name, let alone phone number, until they saw Kilgore’s interview with Action News on Thursday.
The family got in touch with Kilgore on Saturday and on Sunday, nearly a week after the drowning scare, they threw a big bash to show their gratitude for him.
Parikshith’s 7-year-old brother, who watched the entire incident unfold, said Kilgore will forever be the family’s hero.
“Thank you for saving my brother’s life,” Vrishabh Kumar told him.
Kilgore, who thought it might be weeks, maybe months before meeting the toddler he saved, said he is grateful he got to see him in all his spunky, carefree glory.
“His life is so precious and amazing. He’s bouncing off the walls,” he said. “Just brings me to tears on the inside,” he added.
Also at Sunday’s get-together was the man who called 911 as Kilgore performed CPR. The Kumars said it’s thanks to both of them Parikshith is alive and well.
The Kumars and Kilgore said they will keep in touch for many years to come.
