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6 Year-Old Saves Grandpa's Life After Both Flew Off In Jet Ski Accident

June 30, 2015

Gran Flowers, a 6 year-old boy from Hartselle, Alabama, doesn't understand why everyone is calling him a hero. But if it wasn't for him, his grandfather might not be alive.

Credit: Melanie Starbuck

Carl and Melissa Flowers took their family out on their new boat Sunday to celebrate Father's Day, Today reports. When the engine started acting up, "Papa Carl" and Gram decided to go for a ride on the jet ski, while the rest of the family stayed back to fix the boat.

They were having a great time out on the water until they hit a wave, which sent them both flying off the jet ski and into the water. Gram, who has been taking emergency swim lessons since he was an infant, saw his grandpa floating a short distance away with his face underwater and bubbles coming out of his nose and mouth, so he swam into action and carried Papa Carl to the jet ski.

The family finally got the boat to start and when they caught up with the jet ski, Gram was in the driver's seat and Papa Carl was lying on the back.

"At first, we thought it was so cute that Gram was pretending to drive," David Flowers, Gram's father, told Today. "We then realized something was wrong and got Carl, who was unable to move, onto the boat and called a boat ambulance."

Credit: Melanie Starbuck

After Carl was taken to the hospital, the family asked Gram how his grandpa got back on the jet ski if he wasn't able to move. Gram replied in a casual tone that he had taken him by his arms.

"He doesn't even realize he saved his grandpa's life," William McKee, Gram's great grandfather, said. "He just did what he had to do."

Carl's family says he doesn't remember much from the accident, except for being in the water thinking he was going to drown and praying that he wouldn't.

Doctors believe he suffered a concussion. He's now at home, recovering.