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Little Phoebe Van Niel is being hailed a hero.
The seven-year-old girl from Perth is being praised for her quick thinking, which saved a two-year-old toddler who had accidentally fallen into a pool at a hotel in Broome.
"She jumped into the big pool with no floaties… well, she slipped in," Phoebe told 9News.
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The year 2 student on a family holiday had no hesitation to race to the rescue.
"She could of drowned and I didn't want that happening," she said.
It was a split second move, one that even shocked her mother.
"Initially there was a lot of panic," Renae Van Niel told 9News.
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"But as soon as they sort of saw that, Phoebe had her out of the water and was swimming to the edge.
"Everyone was able to sort of relax a little bit knowing that she was going to be okay."
As the toddler was pulled to safety, she too was shaken and crying.
Years of swimming lessons in a south Perth pool more than 2000 kilometres away from Broome paid off for the seven-year-old hero.
Phoebe's parents are encouraging all families to teach their young children the life saving skill.
"This is why it's so important to go and learn to be a strong swimmer," Renae said.
Phoebe now dreams of becoming a surf life saver.
Source: 9News
