5-Year-Old Saves Grandfather From Drowning

July 24, 2006 — -- Five-year-old C.J. Murphy has to wear a bubble flotation device when he swims, so his mother says.

He didn't think twice about springing into action -- bubble-free -- when his grandfather fell into the family pool and began to drown, though.

"I called out and took my bubble off, and jumped in and then I pushed him up," C.J. said on "Good Morning America."

On July 14, his grandfather, Louis Carreiro, 73, was holding an inner tube at the bottom of the water slide for C.J. when the boy accidentally knocked him into the 8-foot-deep pool at the family's home in Fairhaven, Mass.

Carreiro sunk to the bottom of the pool.

C.J. initially called for help but realized that no one was around. He jumped into the pool and pulled his 160-pound grandfather to safety.

"I was just so surprised that a little 5-year-old could think so quick," Carreiro said. "I didn't expect him to go so quick, and I lost my balance. I felt this hand on my back, and he pushed me."

"As soon as I fell in, I could hear his voice," Carreiro said. "I was shocked myself. I thought I was going to die."

C.J.'s mother said that she had never thought that her son would be capable of thinking so quickly and behaving so bravely.

"I got a frantic phone call from my daughter stating that grandpa fell in the pool and C.J. saved his life," Carrie Murphy said.

"Wasn't quite sure what to make of that, so I came home to check and see exactly what happened. And I didn't think it was as extensive as it was -- as important -- but apparently it was because C.J.'s story matched the same story my dad told me, that he dove in and pushed him out of the pool and saved him from drowning," she said.

C.J. has been taking swimming lessons since November. Two weeks before the incident, C.J. learned the lifesaving techniques, which his father said might be the reason he was able help his grandfather.

"He didn't think twice about what he did and was commended by the Fairhaven police for his actions and bravery and also thinking under pressure," Charlie Murphy said.

No medical or emergency personnel was needed for treatment at the scene or after the incident, and Carreiro felt well enough to leave the next morning for a weeklong cruise.

C.J. says he would like to be a lifeguard or a police officer when he grows up.