'He Needed Help And So I Helped Him': Third Grade Brownie Scout Saves A Life

Emma Fritz is a third grader at Prairie Vale Elementary school in Deer Creek and was recently honored by the Girl Scouts for taking actions to save a life.

“She is quiet and she’s serious, and she’s also silly with her friends,” said Prairie Vale Principal Michelle Anderson.

What started as a typical day at school ended up being anything but typical.

“They came and told me at Antler Care after school programs the kids were playing out on the playground,” said Anderson.

But then there was a problem with one of the kindergarten kids, and no one noticed it except Emma.

“Emma sent a little girl to get the teachers because a little boy was hanging from a rope on the zip line,” said Anderson.

Emma’s quick thinking didn’t stop there.

“I tried to get him out by lifting him up by the waist and that didn’t work, so I lifted him up by the legs and somehow, he got his head free,” said Emma.

“She lifted him up by his legs and relieved that pressure so that it wasn’t pulling on his neck,” said Anderson.

No exaggerating, Emma literally saved his life.

“When I went and picked her up that day, the teacher said Emma saved a life that day and I said oh ok, and thought she was just extra nice or something like that, but then they said no she really did,” said Nicole Fritz, Emma’s mother.

Once the boy was freed from the rope and checked out, everyone’s attention turned to Emma.

“They were congratulating me, and everyone was asking me what happened and what you were thinking, and it was kind of stressful,” said Emma.

For her quick thinking and bravery Emma was awarded nationally by the Girl Scouts.

“Emma was recently presented with a Medal of Honor award from Girl Scouts USA, and that award is specifically for a girl taking a life saving measure but also demonstrating skills that are well beyond her age,” said Judi Startzman with Girl Scouts of America.

Emma is a Brownie Scout and her actions on that day were direct lessons that she has been taught in girl scouts.

“That I should be aware of the surroundings and how to help people,” said Emma.

“She said mom he just needed help and so I helped him, and I thought that is amazing,” said Nicole.

Emma isn’t sure how she feels about all the attention.

“Some part of me was like yeah, awesome, but other parts are like, oh God,” said Emma. “I’m not that used to being famous.”

The school has already made modifications to the playground equipment to ensure no other lives have to be saved on the playground.