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What it's like to be a hero at age 7
Following a morning of squirrel hunting with Ed Noble, Tom McCants, Sam McCants and John "Speck" McCants at Horse Shoe Lake in Salitpa, the two boys decided to go down to the lake for a little exploring near the water. According to Hunter, Jay tripped over something, perhaps a tree branch or small log and rolled into the water. "He tried to swim back up to the bank, but couldn't keep himself up," said Hunter. "He tried to grab a tree, but couldn't get ahold of it. I jumped in and he grabbed my hand and shirt and I pulled him out." Hunter said right after Jay rolled into the water, he was scared and called for his grandfather, Ed Noble who was up a hill from the lake with the other adults. After getting no response he knew he had to do something. Overcoming his fear he jumped into the water to save little Jay. Hunter is the son of Shelly and Eric Branch and the grandson of Sharon and Ed Noble. Jay is the son of Shanna and John McCants and the grandson of Janet and John "Speck" McCants. "If Jay had fallen in the water with the grandfathers there, it would have been no problem getting him out," said Shelly Branch. "But, they weren't and Hunter was and he's our hero. This could have been a tragedy. One or both boys could have drowned." When the boys were met by the adults who had heard Jay crying, they were soaking wet and their boots were filled with water. One of the adults asked Hunter if he was scared when he realized Jay was struggling and he said he just knew he had to get him out of the water. "The only danger Hunter saw was for Jay and that's how he became a hero," said Branch. Ed Noble said he and Speck McCants were at the top of the hill watching the boys. "Jay had been throwing sticks and rocks in the lake," he said. "Speck and I were relaxing at the top of the hill. The boys moved behind a little mound where they couldn't be seen, but could be heard. A few minutes lapsed and we heard Jay crying. We jumped up and started towards them. Jay was standing next to the water on the bank soaking wet. Hunter was beside him, not saying a word. "Speck was taking care of Jay who was crying and Hunter walked toward me and I realized he was wet too. I asked Hunter how he got wet and he said, 'I saved his life, Grandaddy,' and I said, 'What did you do?' Then Hunter said, 'I jumped in the water and saved his life.'"
Hunter later stated that it feels pretty good to know he was able to help Jay get out of the water.
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