Lifeguard severely injured saving 7-year-old boy from drowning says he would do it again
HOLLY SPRINGS, N.C. (WTVD) - A young man working as a lifeguard is being hailed as a hero after he nearly lost his life saving a 7-year-old boy from drowning.
Youssef Bounagui has been hospitalized for over a week after he was injured saving a 7-year-old boy from drowning. It’s been difficult for him, and he’s going to have to learn to walk again. But he says it was all worth it.
“I would do it a thousand times. If you put me in that situation again, I’m going to do it. Even if you were to tell me I’m going to get hurt, I’m still going to do it,” he said.
Speaking from his hospital bed, Bounagui says he doesn’t remember much from last Wednesday. He works as a pool manager at 12 Oaks Country Club in Holly Springs, North Carolina, and was filling in as a lifeguard when he saw a 7-year-old boy who needed help.
“I went into the water. I got injured, hit my head, hit my legs pretty bad. Even with that, I still swam to the kid, and I got him out... Then, I passed out or whatnot, and my lifeguard went and saved me,” Bounagui said.
During the rescue, Bounagui suffered severe head trauma, lost teeth and a spinal cord injury.
“I‘m not able to stand, walk. I can’t move. My legs is troublesome. They’re very, very weak. But at least, I can move them a little bit, which is a little bit motivating to us,” he said.
The support from his family and community has kept him going.
“I’m so proud of him,” Bounagui’s father said.
The young man’s goal is to one day become a Raleigh firefighter.
“I’ve always told my dad since I’ve been growing up, my purpose in life is to help people,” he said.
Bounagui also hopes he can meet the 7-year-old he saved and that as the boy grows up, he realizes the gift life is.
“My message to him is to look back at this moment and think of it as a blessing and keep staying positive. I want him to return the favor someday and help somebody else in need,” Bounagui said.
A GoFundMe set up to help Bounagui’s family with expenses had raised more than $16,500, as of early Monday.
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