FATHER FINDS HIS 3-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER FACE DOWN IN A POOL — HIS NEXT ACTION SAVES HER LIFE

A 25-year-old Australian father has received a bravery award after rescuing his three-year-old daughter from a terrifying drowning incident during a family holiday.

Sandy Spratt was recognised at the 2026 Royal Life Saving Western Australia Bravery Awards on October 9, after his quick response and knowledge of CPR helped save his daughter Adaleena’s life.

A Family Holiday Takes a Terrifying Turn

In August 2025, Sandy and his two young daughters were visiting relatives in Broome, a town more than 2,000 kilometres north of Perth.

The family had been enjoying time together at a relative’s home, where the children were playing near a gated swimming pool.

Then something changed.

The sound of his daughters laughing suddenly stopped. Sensing that something was wrong, Sandy rushed towards the pool.

What he discovered was every parent’s nightmare: his three-year-old daughter Adaleena was unconscious, floating face down in the water.

A Father’s Immediate Response

Sandy pulled his daughter from the pool and immediately began performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

He had previously completed first aid training through his workplace, and those skills became critical during the emergency.

By the time paramedics arrived, Adaleena had regained consciousness.

She was taken to Broome Hospital, where she received medical care before making a full recovery.

Recognised for Saving His Daughter’s Life

More than a year after the incident, Sandy was among 84 Western Australians recognised at the 2026 Royal Life Saving WA Bravery Awards.

The organisation praised his ability to identify the emergency and immediately provide lifesaving assistance.

Royal Life Saving WA also highlighted the additional risks children can face around unfamiliar swimming pools, particularly during holidays.

Turning a Frightening Experience Into a Message

For Sandy, the award represents more than recognition of his actions.

He hopes his family’s experience will encourage other parents and members of the community to learn first aid and CPR before they ever need those skills.

His own training had been completed through a previous job, long before he could have imagined using it to save his daughter.

A Little Girl Gets to Come Home

What began as an ordinary family holiday could have ended in unimaginable tragedy.

Instead, Adaleena recovered, and her father now has an opportunity to share an experience that may encourage others to prepare for similar emergencies.

The story is a powerful reminder that knowing what to do in the first moments of a crisis can make a life-changing difference.

Source: ABC News Australia, October 9, 2026. Reporting by Natasha Clark.