Teen reunited with 6-year-old he pulled from the bottom of public pool

The teen who pulled a little boy from the bottom of a public pool on Brisbane’s northside, saving his life, has revealed what happened. VIDEO

A six-year-old boy and his heroic teen rescuer were reunited for the first time since the younger boy was pulled lifeless from the bottom of a packed Brisbane pool.

Brisbane teen Kruz Greensill leapt into action when he found six-year-old Kaiden Hyde face down and lifeless at the bottom of a pool at Chermside Aquatic Centre on January 28.

The Dixon family from Toowoomba, including Kaiden and mother Kim, were at facility to celebrate the 16th birthday of a friend.

In the moments it took for Kim and her mother to switch places from supervising Kaiden, the little boy disappeared until savvy Kruz’s attention was captured by something in the deep end.

The Bray Park State High School student said he saw Kaiden floating facedown at the bottom of the pool for about 10 seconds before realising he wasn’t playing a game.

Kruz Greensill, 14, and six-year-old Kaiden Hyde and reunite for the first time since near-fatal drowning. Picture: Richard Walker

Kruz dived in, grabbed him and furiously pulled Kaiden’s lifeless body up to the surface and flipped him over.

The fast-thinking teen was also helped by a man who dived in to assist and also alerted lifeguards to the serious scene.

“The lifeguard did the CPR and I saw the water come out of his mouth,” Kruz said.

“I was relieved that he was alive. I was freaked out during the rescue.

“Im happy that I did it and he has his life.”

Kruz was reunited with Kaiden on Saturday and said it had been a whirlwind of excitement since that day.

“It’s nice to be called a hero,” he said.

“If I never acted it would’ve been a different outcome.”

Despite being only newly reunited, the boys had already started a bond last week after Kaiden sent a special video to his saviour.

The emotional video features the younger boy proudly and sincerely reaching out to his new hero and saying, “Thank you, Kruz for saving my life. You’re my best friend now.”

After their reunion in a north Brisbane park, Kaiden shyly said confirmed Kruz was now his “best friend forever” and was a “very cool guy”.

He did not remember anything from the incident.

Six-year-old Kaiden Hyde and 14-year-old Kruz Greensill reunite on Saturday, February 11, for the first time since the near-tragedy. PIcture: Richard Walker

Kaiden’s mother Kim says she has had a few sleepless nights thinking of the “what ifs” and is now receiving counselling.

“I think about what could have happened if Kruz wasn’t there, it keeps me up at night. It’s been difficult,” she said.

“All I remember was looking at him and I was screaming saying my baby, my baby.

“I still don’t know why he would go out until he can’t touch (the bottom). He said he was following his cousin.”

14-year-old Kruz Greensill with mum Tamiya Greensill (left), and six-year-old Kaiden Hyde with mum Kim Dixon reunite for the first time since the near-fatal drowning. Picture: Richard Walker

Kaiden was blue when he was pulled from the water and had water on his lungs.

He was rushed by ambulance to the Prince Charles Hospital, with both paramedics and doctors having trouble keeping oxygen levels up as he slipped in and out of consciousness.

“We were told the next 24 hours would be critical,” she said.

Kaiden remained on oxygen until Sunday morning, before being discharged from hospital on Monday and getting back to his “cheeky little self” on February 1.

Kruz Greensill receiving an award after dramatic pool rescue. Picture: Contributed

“I owe my life to (Kruz),” Mrs Dixon said.

“If it wasn't for him, Kaiden wouldn’t be here today.

“I don’t even have words to thank him. I will always be forever grateful.”

Kruz’s mother Tamiya Greensill works in the communications department for the Queensland Ambulance Service and has been on the end of many drowning emergency calls.

She said the word “proud” didn’t come close to explaining how she felt about how her son leapt into action and saved a little boy’s life.

“Everyone was very shocked, surprised and couldn’t believe it was happening,” Mrs Greensill said.

“If he hadn’t noticed or been watching, the outcome could’ve been extremely different that day.”