British hero who caught baby just wants to go back to vacation

A 2-year-old girl fell from a fourth-floor hotel balcony in the tourist district of Orlando on Wednesday night, but she was caught by a hotel guest and was not injured, according to Orange County deputies. (CBS)

British tourist Helen Beard doesn't feel like a hero even after being feted on Friday for catching a 1-year-old girl who fell from a fourth-story balcony at an Orlando resort hotel.

"Absolutely not. I did what needed to be done. I didn't want a fuss. Anyone would have done it," Beard, 44, of Worksop, England, said in an interview with Reuters.

Beard said she was sitting poolside at the Econo Lodge Inn & Suites, keeping an eye on her 10-year-old son and her partner as they swam, when a scream attracted attention to 1-year-old Jah-Nea Myles dangling from the balcony.

"I think you just act instinctively. I ran. I knew I needed to catch her. I had to do something. I guess I was hoping someone else would catch her, but I was the one who was there," Beard said.

Beard said she dashed through the pool gate and ran to a spot right underneath the child who, she said, "seemed to grip on for ages. I saw her tumble."


The baby's mother told investigators that she left her daughter in the care of friends, who said they didn't notice Jah-Nea slip out of the room.

As even Beard's family back home in England knows - they texted her after news of the incident flashed around the world - Beard caught Jah-Nea and held her for a moment before the little girl slipped unharmed from her arms.

At a ceremony on Friday to thank Beard, local authorities awarded her a Medal of Merit, a citation rarely given to anyone outside of law enforcement.

"Mrs. Beard showed unusual instinct and initiative when she exited from the swimming pool area and was able to catch the child as she fell, thus saving her from extreme physical injuries and/or death," said Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings at the presentation.

Beard was also presented with a Guardian Angel award created especially for her by the Florida Department of Children and Families.

Beard, who works for the national health service in England, said all she wants now is to step back from the spotlight and enjoy the rest of her two-week vacation at Orlando's theme parks.

"I just want to get back to the holiday," she said
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http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/04/22/us-babyfall-hero-idUSTRE73L49320110422