Simi Valley couple honored for saving tot's life

SIMI VALLEY, Calif. (KABC) -- Simi Valley honored two of its citizens Monday for saving a small child from drowning.

The Simi Valley City Council on Monday recognized Phil Wright and fiancée Kristee Diersing.

Wright and Diersing were shopping on March 23 when they came across a hysterical woman with a non-responsive 2-year-old boy in her arms, according to Simi Valley police. The little boy was limp, non-responsive and turning purple.

The woman, the mother of the child, did not speak English. Diersing rendered aid while Wright called for paramedics.

Diersing instinctively changed the child's position, opened an airway and swept mucus from his mouth. The child began to revive and cry.

When police and fire personnel arrived on scene, Diersing was told by one of the Ventura County Fire Department paramedics that she had saved the boy's life, police said.

During Monday's city council meeting, the couple was commended for immediately coming to the aid of a complete stranger and their willingness to provide emergency first aid to the boy, which ultimately resulted in saving his life.

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