Spring Lake woman saves boy who nearly drowned

Sat, Jul 19, 2008

NORTON SHORES — A Good Samaritan saved the life of a 4-year-old boy in Norton Shores after he fell into deep water in Lake Michigan.

Sandy Butkis learned CPR 10 years ago, but this was the first time she's put it to use.

"I was just a person in the right place at the right time," the 41-year-old Spring Lake woman said.

The youngster, Kaden Murray of Norton Shores, was wading in shallow water at Lake Harbor Park. The water suddenly dropped off under Kaden's feet, and he fell into about four feet of water.

His mom grabbed him and started running down the beach, screaming for someone who knew CPR.

"I said, yes I do. So, I put him down on my son's towel and I started C-P-R on him," Butkis said.

Kaden started moaning and spit out some water. Some passersby also called 911.

"We were directed to burp him and the mom did that and that's when a gush of water came out," Butkis said.

Kaden was then carried about a quarter of a mile down the pathway to the parking lot, where an ambulance was waiting.

Butkis said she was just glad she was there to help. She got a call this week from Kaden's mom.

She wanted to say thanks and let her know that Kaden is doing fine.

"It makes you feel really good to help — to save a little boy's life. I have two boys of my own, and they are precious."

This report is from WZZM news.