Glamour model Natalie Richardson came perilously close to tragedy when her five-year-old nephew almost drowned at her villa in Marbella.
The Life On Marbs’ star’s sister Becky Denning Poole, 37, and her family were holidaying at the property in Puerto Banus when the incident happened.
Becky’s son Genson got into serious trouble when he took off his armbands before diving into the swimming pool. His nine-year-old brother Harley tried to save him, but was unable to lift him out.
Thankfully, Becky was on hand to pull her son onto dry land, and now she’s described the near-miss that almost devastated her family.
She told The Mirror: “I heard a splash and I ran over and jumped into the pool.
“He was on the bottom. He was just blue, lifeless and he wasn’t breathing.
“I have to say, I had absolutely no succinct thoughts running through my head – I was hysterical.”
Once she managed to haul her son onto the side of the pool, the boy’s grandfather Richard Denning set about resuscitating him.
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“My father knew how to administer CPR, and we rushed him to hospital,” said Becky.
Genson was kept in overnight while doctors checked to make sure he didn’t have water in his lungs, but was discharged the following day.
And Becky was quick to pay tribute to the two people who’d saved her son’s life.
“I think Genson wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for my dad,” she said. “[And] Harley was my hero. It was just instinct when he jumped into the pool.
“I’ll never forgive myself.”
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Becky is now encouraging other parents to be extra-vigilant when taking their kids on holiday.
“Learn from my mistake, and never, ever take your eyes off your child when there’s water about,” she said.
Life On Marbs was broadcast by ITVBe in 2015 but only lasted for one series.
As well as Natalie Richardson, the show briefly featured former TOWIE stars Ferne McCann and Elliot Wright.