North Carolina boy rescues sister.

Over the 4th of July weekend, a family from Turkey, North Carolina, decided to go to nearby Currie Beach, on the Atlantic. Seven-year-old Abigail Whipkey was playing in knee-deep water, careful to follow instructions not to go too far out into the rough surf. Despite her caution, though, Abigail was suddenly pulled out to sea by a strong rip current. People on the shore could see the girl fighting for her life amid the rolling waves.

One of those watching from the shore was Abigail's mother, Lisa Cain. "I just couldn't believe it was happening," said Cain, in an interview with the Sampson (County, North Carolina) Independent: "I was just shocked--it was like everything was in slow motion. I was sitting with my friend and she looked over and was going to say everything was fine, but she didn't even get the words out of her mouth and we both saw very quickly that everything wasn't fine."

Ms. Cain could see her daughter being tossed about on the waves, sometimes submerged, sometimes above the waves, but could do nothing. As she told the Independent:

   It is a feeling of helplessness that I
   cannot explain to you. I was running
   out across the water and it was like
   two hands just shoving me back....
   I could see her face just under the
   water, then out, then under again.
   Every time she looked up, she saw
   me and was looking for me to help
   her and there was nothing I could do.
   It was just horrible. I was right there,
   but couldn't get to her.... I just kept
   screaming for someone to help her
   and nobody moved.

Fortunately, Abigail's 12-year-old brother Jack had already seen his sister struggling and was paddling his boogie board towards her. He held her head above the water, but struggled in the rough waves. Another swimmer came to help and, together, they got Abigail safely to shore.

"I was up to my knees and the rip current just started sucking me in," Abigail told reporters. "I couldn't touch the bottom and was trying my best to stay up, ... but I couldn't. I was fixin' to drown."

Abigail's mother told the press: "The waxes were just beating her, and the waves were taking Jack's legs out from under him also. But he was able to save her. If he wasn't there, there is no doubt in my mind that Abigail wouldn't have made it."

Jack told the story from his point of view: "I really didn't know what to think. I didn't have the time. I was scared. I could hear my heart pounding. I wasn't too far away and when I saw her, I knew right away that she was in trouble. I just wanted to get to her quickly and help her out."

Abigail was more direct in her admiration for her big brother: "Jack is my hero. I am really happy that he helped me."