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Sheriff honors young British visitor who helped save drowning girl

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — A young tourist from Great Britain is now a hero for the quick thinking that helped save the life of a 2-year-old girl in Orange County.

Officials said 9-year-old Ethan Temmen, who is on vacation in Orlando with his mother and brother and staying at the Wyndham Hotel, saw the girl face down on the bottom of the hotel's pool.

Ethan told Channel 9's Anthony DiLorenzo that's when he jumped into action.

There was a hero's welcome for Ethan at the Orange County Sheriff's Office, as they honored the young man for his quick action.

"I'm just really amazed that she's still alive," said Ethan.

It happened Thursday night at the hotel pool where he met the girl and her brother.

"We were just playing and she was underwater and it was really weird. I found her under the water," said Ethan.

"I tried to get her head out," said Ethan.

He brought the girl to the water's edge, where two bystanders pulled her from the pool and performed CPR.

Ethan said even though he was scared, he had to help.

"I know how to save someone's life and I've been through it so I know what to do if I have kids, not leave them alone," said Ethan.

So far this year, the Sheriff's Office has investigated six drownings in unincorporated Orange County.

Ethan's mother said swimming safety is taught at an early age in the United Kingdom.

"When they put through the live-saving training in the U.K., you don't think they're going to need it, especially on holiday," said Susan Temmen.

Ethan's face lit up when he found out the hotel is taking him to Disney World.

Sheriff's officials said they would also like to honor the heroics of two bystanders who helped save the girl's life, but officials don't know who they are.

They are asking anyone who knows who performed CPR on the girl please contact the Sheriff's Office.