00:00It's nothing short of a miracle that eight-year-old Abigail Joseph is alive.
00:05She was playing in the rain close to her Ward Lane Belmont home by this drain with her brothers on Sunday.
00:12She slipped and fell into the adjacent water channel and was swept away by the current of the water.
00:18Her mom, Christiani High Joseph, who was at work at the time of the incident, says Abigail's account of the ordeal is traumatic.
00:25Practically, she said that she was tumbling in the water.
00:30She tried to breathe, couldn't breathe.
00:33She said her stomach full up with water and she vomited and that was whilst in the water.
00:39And then when she reached the Israel River there by where Besson Street police station is, she said the policeman jumped in the water.
00:50She said somebody was jumping before, but he couldn't reach her.
00:53And then she saw the policeman jump in the water.
00:56That officer is Police Constable Taylor of the Interagency Task Force.
01:01The civilian is Quarry Street resident Dylan Ramsey.
01:05Ramsey was attempting to catch fish when he saw what looked like a large dole at first coming down the river.
01:12When he realized it was a child, he jumped into the water without hesitation.
01:16I was talking about this bridge right here, you know, this half bridge right here.
01:20Yeah, I said I carry it down.
01:21The closer she was, how she more lighter, is carrying she more faster than me now.
01:26You know what I'm saying?
01:26The current pushing her real fast and she's fighting up and she's beating up, fighting up, fighting up, until we reach quite seal up with she.
01:33When I reach seal up with she, I see some police officers, like a police officer, try to come in to save she.
01:38And can't help herself, but I help you, you know, to bring him up on you, to bring him back up on you, on the call, but all kind of thing.
01:43PC Neptune was attempting to rescue Taylor, who was in difficulty, when Ramsey intervened.
01:49Abigail's mom is filled with gratitude.
01:52I just want to thank the police officers and also the gentleman, you know, that saved the life of my daughter.
01:59And I know that God really spoke to them, you know, that gave them that instinct to save her life.
02:07Abigail was discharged from the hospital on Monday morning and was sleeping when our cameras visited in the afternoon.
02:13But Haidh Joseph tells us she has been faring well and seems to be her usual self.
02:20She does some, got some bruises to her knees, her hands, and that's basically it.
02:28Yeah, but everything else, she's good.
02:30Residents in the community like Glenn Walker are left amazed.
02:34That, you know, that this little girl could go in there and survive after, going down that distance in the water.
02:45That was great, really.
02:46That's God's work.
02:48Haidh Joseph is supporting calls for her daughter's heroes to be awarded.
02:52I do support that as well, also the gentleman, too, who, because, I mean, he as well did partake in the rescue, you know, even though he could, but he still got that instinct to jump in the water also, too, you know, to save her.
03:05So I do believe that, yes, that they should be awarded for their bravery.
03:10The TNT Police Service has also acknowledged and commended officers Taylor and Neptune for what it calls their courage and swift response.
03:20It is extending special appreciation to Ramsey for his selfless assistance in the rescue.
03:26Police are urging people to exercise caution during periods of heavy rainfall and flooding and to remain vigilant, particularly near rivers and other watercourses.
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