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| Helen Beard and Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demmings |
And (on Friday) Helen Beard, from Worksop, Nottinghamshire, was honoured for her actions by being awarded the Orange County Sheriff Office's Medal of Merit.
The 44-year-old was on holiday with her husband and two children in Orlando, Florida, when 16-month-old Jah-Nea Myles fell through the railings. Miss Beard rushed to save the infant when she spotted her dangling from the balcony railings at the hotel. Despite the heroic act Miss Beard said she didn’t consider herself a hero.
'It feels a bit daunting to be here for something that was instinctive,' she said as she accepted her award from Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demming. 'It felt like it was something anyone would have done and I feel honoured to be recognised in this way.'
The little girl hit the third-floor railing on the way down, but miraculously survived without so much as a bruise. She was even described as 'playful' afterwards. 'It was a very surreal event,' Miss Beard said. 'Luckily I had my flat shoes on and I managed to run over and catch her as she lost her grip.
'It all happened so quickly. And I just sat with her and tried to calm her down. Everyone was panicking around me because it was very hectic.'
The baby's 20-year-old mother, Helena, said: 'I'm thanking the Lord above right now for saving my child's life. I'm also thanking that lady because she was an angel sent from Heaven.'
Eye witness Kristell Friesen said: 'We heard everybody screaming and just thought they were having a good time at the pool, and they all started running toward the first floor on the ground. This woman was right under the balcony, held out her arms and caught her. Everyone was just happy.'
A spokesman for Orange County Sheriff's Office described it simply as 'a miracle.'
Miss Beard, 44, told deputies she was by the pool at around 11pm when she looked up and saw a child hanging from the fourth-floor railing. She ran underneath the child in the hope of saving her and watched as Jah-Nea fell, hitting the third-floor railing on the way down. As other tourists screamed, Miss Beard held out her arms and caught the little girl.
Meanwhile the child's mother heard screaming and rushed out to the balcony. She looked down to see her daughter in Miss Beard's arms.
Miss Beard was very modest about her life saving heroics and was grateful the girl did not suffer any injuries. 'She really did not like all the attention with so many people congratulating her,' said a hotel worker. 'To be honest, she seemed a little embarrassed by it all.'
The child's mother said: 'She's perfectly fine. Not a scratch on her body.' Jah-Nea and her mother live in Longwood, Florida, but they were staying at the hotel on holiday. They were joined by Miss Holt, a friend from North Carolina, who was staying in the room next door with a friend.
The Florida Department of Children and Families are investigating, but no criminal charges were pending in the immediate aftermath of the incident.
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