A PARKWOOD crime fighter is a little boy’s hero after saving him from drowning in Wednesday’s woeste winter storm.
Little Parkwood Primary School learner Tyler Cupido, 6, got into trouble while making his way home in the flooded neighbourhood and had to be pulled from a sloot after he was spotted face-down and motionless in the water.
But quick-thinking Neighbourhood Watch member Yasheerah Nelson sprang into action and saved him just in the nick of time.
The incident has since gone viral on social media, showcasing 34-year-old Yasheerah’s courage.
Footage shows her wading knee-deep into a flooded paaitjie to get to the motionless boy.
She can be seen removing a black bag from the little boy’s neck and tries shaking him for a response. She then picks Tyler up and carries him to safety.
People in the background can be heard frantically shouting: “Hy het ’n sak om sy nek. Bring hom Sheera, bring hom.”
The Daily Voice spoke to Yasheerah who said the incident took place around 11.20am.
Yasheerah explained: “It was raining so we could not go out for work. We stood in one of my colleague’s garage.
“The boy was coming from school and I saw him do almost like a backflip and we thought he was swimming but I noticed his face and I could see he was in distress.
“When I got to him, he was under the water and I could only see the tip of his bag and that was when I pulled him up.
“The water was pretty deep. I thought for a moment he was dead because his eyes were still in his head and that is why in the video I shook him to see if he was OK.
“He had a black bag around his neck, which he got from his teacher because he did not have a rain jacket.”
She said that the boy did not speak for 15 minutes after his rescue due to the trauma.
She added: “When I got him inside, we removed all his wet clothes and gave him something warm to eat and drink. I asked where he lives and whose child he was and he shared that his mother had passed away.
“I got in contact with the school to find his address. The school got his brother to contact me and he said they live with their grandmother and we took him home.”
Tyler’s dad Vincent Fick said this kleintjie is doing well, but does not want to go near water, for now.
A grateful Vincent said: “I was at work at the time of the incident. I heard the news on the radio while on my way home. The details on the radio confirmed to me that it was him.
“I am thankful to Yaseerah for saving my son’s life.”