Quick-thinking sisters become heroes after saving drowning girl
Share and Follow

Two sisters have been hailed as heroes after leaping into action to rescue a four-year-old girl who had ‘turned blue’ beneath the water at a Michigan apartment pool.

Ava and Addison Apostopolos, both nine, pulled a drowning girl from the pool during a visit to their grandmother at the Hillside Apartment Complex and quickly sought help – ultimately saving her life, according to WXYZ Detroit News.

The twin sisters were honored this week by the Wixom City Council and the police chief for their heroic actions, receiving the police department’s prestigious Civilian Citation Award. 

‘I am very happy she’s alive now, and I hope she’s having a good time,’ the twins told the outlet. ‘And I’m happy.’

Last month, while swimming in the apartment complex’s pool, the pair spotted a terrifying sight – a little girl lying motionless at the bottom of the water. 

‘I got goggles to go under,’ Addison recalled. 

Without hesitation, Addison dove into the pool, swam to the bottom, and pulled the unidentified child to the surface.

At that moment, Cody Boyette – a maintenance technician for the apartment complex – was startled near the end of his workday when one of the girls burst into the leasing office, urgently pleading for help. 

Twin sisters Ava and Addison Apostopolos (pictured), both nine, are being hailed as heroes after leaping into action to rescue a four-year-old girl who had 'turned blue' beneath the water at a Michigan apartment complex pool

Twin sisters Ava and Addison Apostopolos (pictured), both nine, are being hailed as heroes after leaping into action to rescue a four-year-old girl who had ‘turned blue’ beneath the water at a Michigan apartment complex pool

While visiting their grandmother at the Hillside Apartment Complex, the sisters were swimming in the building's pool (pictured) when they saw an unresponsive four-year-old at the bottom - immediately pulling her to the surface

While visiting their grandmother at the Hillside Apartment Complex, the sisters were swimming in the building’s pool (pictured) when they saw an unresponsive four-year-old at the bottom – immediately pulling her to the surface

Cody immediately abandoned his closing duties and rushed to the pool, where he pulled the four-year-old out of the water. 

‘She was totally blue, not breathing,’ Cody told CBS News. ‘When you see a kid in that stress, you kind of think about your own kid in that situation. If it turns bad, it can turn south really quick.’

While another adult called 911, Cody quickly checked for a pulse and administered rescue breaths – miraculously reviving the little girl.

‘I think we had maybe minutes before it would have been too late for anybody to do anything,’ he told CBS.

‘I’m just glad I was in the right place at the right time.’

Thanks to the quick and courageous actions of Ava, Addison, and Cody, the child was rushed to the hospital and survived what could have been a catastrophic tragedy. 

Despite their efforts, both Ava and Addison were left in shock by the terrifying ordeal, struggling to fully grasp the gravity of the life-or-death situation they had helped to prevent.

‘She asked me if I was okay so I could share my feelings too,’ Addison told WXYZ about the emergency responders.

Cody Boyette (pictured left) - a maintenance technician for the apartment complex - was notified of the incident from one of the girls and quickly pulled the child out of the pool, subsequently performing CPR and reviving the four year old

Cody Boyette (pictured left) – a maintenance technician for the apartment complex – was notified of the incident from one of the girls and quickly pulled the child out of the pool, subsequently performing CPR and reviving the four year old

Now, more than a month after the incident, the girls are beginning to embrace their roles as heroes - with their father, Jason (pictured), saying it has been 'a wonderful thing for them and our family'

Now, more than a month after the incident, the girls are beginning to embrace their roles as heroes – with their father, Jason (pictured), saying it has been ‘a wonderful thing for them and our family’

The sisters, along with Cody, were honored this week by the Wixom City Council and the police chief for their heroic actions, receiving the police department's prestigious Civilian Citation Award (pictured)

The sisters, along with Cody, were honored this week by the Wixom City Council and the police chief for their heroic actions, receiving the police department’s prestigious Civilian Citation Award (pictured)

According to Jason, the girls were taught 'if you see something, do something' (pictured: Jason and twins)

According to Jason, the girls were taught ‘if you see something, do something’ (pictured: Jason and twins)

Now, more than a month after the incident, the girls are beginning to embrace their roles as heroes – recognizing that the experience they endured was both meaningful and life-changing.

‘Happy that we were in the right situation,’ Addison said. 

According to their father, Jason, the incident has ‘really been a wonderful thing for them and our family,’ as reported by WXYZ. 

‘The city of Wixom really honored them, and that was wonderful, and they were really proud of that,’ he said.

‘We’re just all about helping, we’re aware of our surroundings and taught them the same thing, if you see something, do something.’

Cody expressed admiration for the girls’ swift response to the unresponsive child, adding that he holds no blame toward anyone for the incident.

‘I think it was 100 percent a freak accident. You look away for a second, stuff can change in the matter of a blink of an eye,’ he told CBS.

In the end, he urged everyone to take a CPR or first aid class, stressing the importance of being prepared to act when an emergency strikes. 

‘I’d rather try to help and do what I can than stand there knowing I’m doing nothing,’ Cody added.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Palmdale Street shooting on Jacksonville's Northwest side leaves man dead

Shocking Incident: Woman Injured During Northside Jacksonville Group Confrontation

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office reported that those involved in a recent altercation…
Virginia vs. Missouri prediction: Odds, picks, best bet for Gator Bowl

Virginia vs. Missouri Gator Bowl Showdown: Expert Predictions, Betting Odds, and Top Picks Revealed

Gambling content 21+. The New York Post may receive an affiliate commission…
Man dies after being stabbed in Moncrief Park neighborhood: JSO

Tragic Stabbing Incident Claims Life in Moncrief Park, Says JSO

Authorities have detained several individuals for questioning after a fatal stabbing on…
Preston Stone throws 3 TDs, Northwestern has 4 takeaways in 34-7 victory over Central Michigan at GameAbove Sports Bowl in Detroit

Preston Stone Shines with 3 TDs as Northwestern Dominates with 4 Takeaways in GameAbove Sports Bowl Triumph

DETROIT — Preston Stone led Northwestern to victory with three touchdown passes,…
Israel FM accuses Palestinian Authority of aiding terror with ‘Pay-for-Slay’ after deadly attack

Israel Condemns Palestinian ‘Pay-for-Slay’ Program: Accusations of Terror Funding Stir Tensions

JERUSALEM: Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar has vociferously condemned the Palestinian Authority…
Why the Times Square New Year’s Eve ball will drop twice in 2026

Exploring the Unprecedented: Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball to Drop Twice in 2026

For the first time ever, Times Square will host a ball drop…
Trump reveals potential Kennedy Center marble armrests 'unlike anything ever done or seen before'

Trump Unveils Innovative Kennedy Center Marble Armrest Design: A First-of-Its-Kind Artistic Endeavor

President Donald Trump recently sparked interest by hinting at the introduction of…
These are Americans' top New Year's resolutions for 2026: Survey

Discover the Most Popular New Year’s Resolutions for Americans in 2026: Survey Insights

by: Ashleigh Fields, The Hill Posted: Dec 26, 2025 / 05:08 PM…