Girl saved from flood waters

Mikayla Anderson, 12, is alive today because of the heroism and bravery of men from her community in Waterhouse, St Andrew.

The men selflessly ventured into raging flood waters in the Sandy Gully yesterday to rescue her, as she desperately hung on to debris.

Damian 'Billy' Baldio, who carried Mikayla on his shoulder from the gully, said he didn't exhibit such bravery for the praise.

"We neva do it fi di reward ... me just know seh me did afi save har. Me come and see a crowd a people, so me hide from the crowd. Me nuh really want the highlight, a nuh my thing dat," he told THE STAR. But residents showered him with commendations nonetheless.

Baldio quickly pointed out 20-year-old Antafari 'Popsi' Ashman for his huge role in rescuing Mikayla.

Ashman was at home when he heard neighbours saying 'a likkle girl in a the gully a wash weh.'

"Me go out deh and see wah gwane and me seh 'Jah Jah ... fada God, a wah dis?' Me go in a the water fuss, but the water a move weh me foot. So, me seh me a go tek the easier way and the smarter way then. Me just go up and cross it and run go dung deh and manage the pressure. A fight me fight it go cross fi har," Ashman said smiled, as community members cheered him on.

Meanwhile, Assistant Superintendent of Police Andrew Johnson of the Hunts Bay police, commended the men for saving Mikayla.

"I know she was very frightened with the water all around and the residents never lost hope. I want to commend the residents who risked their own lives and went out into the raging water. This is the kind of thing that we want to see from our communities," he said.