Credit: Angelo Mondragon
WINDSOR, Colo. — A Colorado man was swimming in a lake on Sunday when he felt something brush against him — and his quick instincts likely saved a 4-year-old’s life.
Shortly after entering the lake, Angelo Mondragon felt something brush against his feet. He looked down and noticed Sitlali Hernandez underwater and unconscious.
“I saw just the bottom of her feet and then right then at that moment, that became my child. I reached in and I pulled her out like I would any of my babies,” Mondragon, a father of three, told CBS Denver.
With the girl in his arms, Mondragon rushed to the shore and shouted for help. Two certified nurses ran to the scene and began performing CPR on the girl.
The nurses were able to revive the girl. She was taken to a local hospital for treatment. She’s expected to make a full recovery.
Earlier this week, Mondragon met her at the hospital less than 24 hours after he pulled her from the lake. He told CBS Denver he now considers the girl a part of his family.
