A teenage lifeguard saved a seven-year-old boy from drowning, but suffered a spinal injury and can no longer walk as a result of his heroism.
Youssef Bounagui, who works as a pool manager at 12 Oaks Country Club in Holly Springs, North Carolina, was filling in for one of the lifeguards last Wednesday when the 17-year-old spotted a young man struggling in the water. WTVD News reported.
Without hesitation, the selfless teenager jumped into the pool, saving the young man from drowning.
But during the mission to save his life he suffered head and spinal trauma that left him paralyzed in his lower limbs. He also lost some teeth.
The brave teenager said from his hospital bed that he does not regret his decision to save a life and would do it again if necessary, despite the long recovery that lies ahead. It is unclear at this stage whether Bounagui will ever walk again.
“I would do it a thousand times. If they put me in that situation again, I’m going to do it. Even if they tell me I’m going to get hurt, I’m going to do it anyway,” said the teenager, who shared that he hopes to one day meet the little boy he saved.
Youssef Bounagui suffered severe trauma to his head and spinal cord after jumping into a swimming pool to save a seven-year-old boy from drowning. Pictured here, he is using a walker as he learns to walk again with the help of a team of medical specialists.
Bounagui is a pool manager at 12 Oaks Country Club in Holly Springs, North Carolina, where Wednesday’s incident occurred.
Bounagui said that after rescuing the boy he doesn’t remember much before another rescuer saved him.
“I went into the water. I got hurt, hit my head and legs pretty hard. I still swam to the guy and pulled him out,” he said. “Then I passed out or something, and my lifeguard came and saved me.”
Bounagui, who wears a brace around his neck, said he has trouble moving. “I can’t stand or walk. I have problems with my legs. They are very, very weak,” he said.
But, he said he felt a little inspired when he started to feel a decrease in movement in his legs, which he called “a little motivating for us.”
The teenager hopes to one day become a firefighter in Raleigh, North Carolina, a dream he has had since childhood.
He shared that one of his goals is to ‘help others’ and his father expressed how ‘proud’ he was of his son.
To help in her recovery, friends Emily Byrnes and Erin Bircher organized a GoFundMe.
“Hi everyone, as you may know, our good friend and fabulous pool manager at 12 Oaks, Youssef, has suffered numerous injuries while trying to save a child in distress,” the post reads.
‘His ability to think on his feet and put the child’s safety before his own caused him severe trauma. He loves his job and would do it a thousand times more, which is why we love him so much. He cares so much about this community and I know we would love to give back.’
‘He is currently recovering from trauma to his brain and spine that resulted in a mild concussion and spinal cord inflammation. He is unable to walk at the moment and will have to relearn how to do so. He is unable to do basic things like eating, showering, etc. Due to the head trauma, he is also missing some teeth.
Bounagui gives a thumbs up from his hospital bed with his father smiling at his side.
Photos Bounagui’s friends posted some photos of themselves with their friend on their GoFundMe.
“At this time, I am requesting on behalf of his family that we start this funding page. Due to the circumstances, he will be out of work and we are asking that you please make a donation to support his family during this time,” the post read in part.
As of Monday afternoon, more than $17,000 had been raised, tripling the initial amount of $5,000.
The young man who shares the importance of giving back and how fragile life is had a message for the little boy.
“Look at this moment and think that it was a blessing and stay positive,” he said. “I want him to return the favor and help someone else in need someday.”
DailyMail.com contacted 12 Oaks Country Club.
