College Student Rescues Three Girls During Seattle’s Seafair

On July 31, Lillie Vehling, a University of California-Davis water-polo player and certified lifeguard, spotted three girls struggling near a buoy lane in Lake Washington while she waited at Genesee Park for the U.S. Navy Blue Angels air show. Vehling entered the water and pulled the victims to shore one by one. The third girl was unconscious and tangled in a buoy rope when Vehling reached her, but she revived after being lifted out of the water. First-responders from the Seattle Fire Department arrived shortly thereafter, providing first aid; one girl was later taken to Seattle Children’s Hospital in stable condition.

College Student Saves Three Girls From Drowning After Spotting Them Struggling in Lake Washington People Magazine

Vehling was reading a book at the park when she began scanning the lake. Her background in competitive water polo and lifeguard certification equipped her to assess the danger quickly and act without hesitation. The incident occurred amid Seafair, Seattle’s multi-week summer festival that includes the Blue Angels air show.

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After rescuing the three girls, bystanders called 911. Seattle Fire Department paramedics administered medical care on the shoreline, and the victims were escorted to the hospital. Vehling’s prompt intervention prevented a potential tragedy during a high-profile public event.

College Student Saves Three Girls From Drowning After Spotting Them Struggling in Lake Washington

Emily Cantrell, president and CEO of the Seafair organization, learned of the rescue and honored Vehling at the festival’s gala. Cantrell described the accolade as a “knighting” and highlighted the immediate admiration Vehling received from festival staff and attendees.

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• “There were three girls who were out pretty far by the buoy lane that they had set up, and they did not look very good,” — Lillie Vehling

College Student Saves Three Girls From Drowning After Spotting Them Struggling in Lake Washington

• “We knighted her as 'Lady Guardian of Lake Washington,'” — Emily Cantrell, president and CEO

College Student Saves Three Girls From Drowning After Spotting Them Struggling in Lake Washington

• “Unfortunately by the time I had gotten to the third girl, it was just the top of her head that was there,” — Lillie Vehling

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• “We knighted her as ‘Lady Guardian of Lake Washington,’ and she immediately had admirals coming up to her,” — Emily Cantrell, president and CEO

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