Close Ad

Brave 4-Year-Old Saves Brother From Drowning, Gets Offered Job At Fire Department
4-Year-Old Hero Mason Ochoa
Everyday Heroes

Brave 4-Year-Old Saves Brother From Drowning, Gets Offered Job At Fire Department

Heroes come in all shapes and sizes.

Take Mason Ochoa, for instance. He jumped to the rescue and saved his two-year-old brother Nicholas from drowning in the family pool – and he's only four. Ochoa earned himself a challenge coin from the local fire department and lifelong gratitude from his brother.


Toddler to the rescue

When Mason heard an alarm sound from the pool, he scurried his tiny feet into action. It was October 20 and his younger brother, Nicholas, had fallen into the family pool in Orange County, California.

Mason grabbed his brother and kept his head above water. Then, he followed his instincts yet again and called for help.

Mason's mother Stephanie managed to pull the boys to safety, but Nicholas wasn't breathing. So her husband Jose called 911.

"My wife told me right now that my son fell in the pool and he wasn’t breathing, that he’s crying right now, but that his face is purple and he’s -- she can’t talk right now I’m on my way to them," Jose said in the recording, according to NBC Los Angeles.

Moments later, Nicholas became responsive again and didn't appear to be hurt. His brother had saved his life.

Mason's grandfather, Raul Velez, said there's usually a fence around the pool, but it was taken down when the house sold.

“It’s an example for people with little kids. We have to be very careful,” Velez told CBS Los Angeles.

“He’s only 4 years old. He’s my hero.”

Raul Velez

Honored by the fire department

Members of the Placentia Fire Department honored the young hero by giving him the run of the facility. Mason was able to try holding a hose line, check out rescue tools and got to play with a roll of bandages, all while dressed in a firefighter's uniform.

"Individuals in this profession gravitate to this calling because they have a need to act," Placentia Fire Department Chief John Van Gieson said, according to NBC.

Afterward, Gieson presented Mason and Nicholas with challenge coins and said the young hero has a job waiting for him in about 14 years when he turns 18.

A hero in all of us

You don't learn how to be a hero at school. We are born with instincts and can either listen to them and take action to help others – whether it's our younger brother or a complete stranger – or ignore them.

How will you follow your inner hero today?

More uplifting stories:

Hot Stories

Leonardo DiCaprio Told Kate Winslet To “Let The Fat Girl Thing Go”
Leo Dicaprio Told Kate Winslet To “Let The Fat Girl Thing Go” …

Forced to feel ashamed for her weight and appearance, Kate Winslet struggled with her body image for years. The media loved to tease her for being “the fat girl,” but there was ONE PERSON who saw the real her. What did Leo see in Kate? And what important message does Kate have for young women everywhere?


Keep ReadingShow less
Videos
Dr Dre points up at text that says 25 rapper quotes to motivate you
Goalcast

The genres of rap and hip hop have been demonized by their association with gang violence and have often been represented by questionable characters. But we can’t overlook the fact that there are a lot of rappers out there who inspire and motivate us every day with their powerful lyrics and hypnotizing beats.

Just like any other form of art, rap is a representation of the artist’s personal experiences and emotions. A representation of what living in a rough environment really means and an expression of the grit that a tough life demands. They speak from life experience.

Keep ReadingShow less
Musicians
Elderly woman selling baking goods outside and an elderly woman with glasses.

Stranger's Video Helps Grandma Selling Baked Goods Go Viral

FOX13 News

Every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday without fail, Inez Hudson can be found stationed outside Super Choice Foods supermarket in Lakeland, Florida.

The 73-year-old woman sells homemade pies and cakes to support herself as her fixed income isn't enough to cover her living expenses.

She has her good days and bad days. That is, until now. Because thanks to the kindness of a stranger and the power of social media she just became a viral sensation. And now? Her baked goods are selling like hotcakes.

Keep ReadingShow less
Uplifting News