Kitchener teen hailed as hero, helps save couple from drowning in Barbados

Two young teens are going viral online, after saving a couple from drowning in Barbados.

One of them, Zoe Ireland-Meklensek, is originally from Kitchener, and is sharing her story with CityNews 570 – Kitchener.

Zoe is in Barbados with her Dad right now, who is the National Development Coach at the Dorval Swim Club in Montreal.

Her friend Olympic hopeful Emma Bassermann is one of her Dad’s students, training in Barbados.

The pair, 13 and 14-years-old, were out boogie boarding when they heard a cry for help.

Zoe said two people were trapped in the strong ocean current, a woman in a bright orange bikini was calling for help.

“I was worried about their safety and mine and Emma’s as well, because we are just little in a big ocean, and the current was pretty heavy. I was mostly focused on getting them to safety, they were out there for, I don’t know how long, but it seemed like they were out there for a while.”

The 13-year-old said there was no one else on the beach at the time, and the outcome could have been much worse.

“My adrenaline was pumping so I wasn’t really focused on what I was thinking, but I was a little bit scared … They thanked my friend Emma and I for getting them and hearing them. They were so grateful we were there, at that time, at that place.”

Zoe later learned the two people saved are a couple from the United Kingdom. She says the coverage of her heroic actions has been overwhelming.