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Schoolgirl saves brother’s life
Anna Hore with her brother Jack (nine), who she pulled out of the canal at Dover Lock Abram
A WIGAN schoolgirl has been hailed a heroine after saving the life of her little brother when he fell into the canal.
Anna Hore and brother Jack were cycling down the Leeds and Liverpool Canal by Dover Lock, in Abram, when things took a turn for the worse.
Jack, who celebrates his ninth birthday today, took a tumble on some uneven land and fell into the canal, with his bike falling on top of him.
But his 13-year-old sister was quick to react, jumping off her bike and racing to his aid. She grabbed the clothing of her struggling brother and dragged him out of the water.
And now Anna is modestly claiming that she was doing what any other big sister would do.
But the 15th Wigan Boys’ Brigade & 15th Wigan Girls’ Association thought it was something worth recognising – and she has now been awarded the Mark Fleming Memorial Shield for outstanding achievement.
On the day of the canal drama, they were with mum Anita, who was walking quite a distance behind.
Anna said: “Our mum had told us to get off our bikes whenever we came to narrow paths.
“Jack had been learning to ride for a while and had been comfortable. As I came to a narrow path, I got off and couldn’t see anyone behind me and then I heard a splash.
“I rushed back to see what had happened, and saw Jack with the bike on top of him.”
Panicking, she was ready to jump into the water but saw Jack trying to struggle towards the side, and she reached out and grabbed him out of the water.
She added: “We were both really scared, nervous and crying, but I grabbed him out of the water and was so relieved to see him safe.
“I just think that I was doing what I should though, so I don’t think I’m any sort of hero.”
Jack said: “She is a heroine. I was really scared but she got me out and I think she’s great.
“She really deserved her award.”
Father Jimmy added: “I’m so proud of Anna and how modest she has been.
“She doesn’t class herself as a heroine or anything.
“They are very close siblings, so she believes it was simply a natural reaction.”
Since the accident a few months ago, both Anna and Jack have taken up swimming lesson at Hindley swimming baths, and Anna has her sights set on the Duke of Edinburgh awards.
The awards ceremony took place at Abram Church, and celebrated the achievements of all the group’s boys and girls.
But Anna’s story was one that stood out.
Captain Steven Hyde, of the Boys Brigade and Girls Association, said: “What she did was remarkable.
“She said she wasn’t a heroine, that she was just helping her little brother.
“Well we think she is a heroine!”
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Weather for Wigan
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 23 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
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