‘Little hero’ rescued drowning friend from the sea by her hair

Twelve-year-old Tamika Hezzell is being hailed as a “little hero” after rescuing her drowning friend from the sea by her hair. The incident occurred at Pensarn Beach in Abergele, North Wales, when Tamika and her fourteen-year-old friend, Sofia-Ann McKenna, were paddling in the water and suddenly lost their footing due to a rapidly incoming tide.

As they were swept away, Sofia-Ann tragically suffered a seizure and became completely unresponsive. Despite being dragged underwater herself, Tamika stayed remarkably calm under pressure and managed to locate her friend. Acting on survival instinct, she grabbed Sofia-Ann by her long hair to pull her onto her back, bravely dragging her out of the water and onto the safety of the beach.

Once ashore, bystanders and beachgoers quickly raised the alarm and assisted until emergency services arrived. The Welsh Ambulance Service and Coastguard rescue teams from Rhyl and Llandudno responded to the scene, and Sofia-Ann was rushed to the hospital where medical staff successfully drained water from her lungs. After a week of recovery at home, Sofia-Ann is doing well. Both mothers have since publicly praised Tamika’s incredible quick thinking, with Sofia-Ann’s mother directly crediting the young girl and hailing her as a ‘little hero‘ for saving her daughter’s life.