On a hot boiling day, it was the Far North swimming Sports in Kaitaia. When we arrived, it was overwhelming because of crowds of people chatting, shouting and yelling. We found our seats quickly and when our races were to begin. Kendra was the loudest and most excited swimmer from our school. She was a very good swimmer, and also very critical for her friends and teammates.
Before the first race, she turned her mean voice on to some of her friends.
“\Why are you wearing a three year old cap?(which was a picture of a fish)
Her upset friend replied,
“Because my New Zealand flag cap ripped,” and walked to the toilets angrily, asKendra laughed. While the upset girl was in the bathroom crying, she started to get ready for her first race. Mrs Jones, the P.E teacher who took them to Swimming sports and very competitive, Kendra loved her as she was her Mum and she got extra time in the pool everyday after their lesson.
2 minutes before the race, Mrs Jones aked Kendra,
“Kendra have you seen Charlotte?”
Kendra knew where Charlotte was - in the bathroom crying. Kendra decided to get Charlotte and avoid trouble. When Kendra arrived at the bathroom, Charlotte was surprised that she came and Charlotte was keen to start the race.
Next minute they were standing on the diving blocks. The referee said,
“Take your marks..get... set…o!”
They both dive in. SPLASH! Charlotte was on a mission to catch and swim up to Kendra. On the other hand Kendra was swallowing water. Mrs Jones yelled,
“15 meters to go, push!”
Kendra started to drown because of how much water she took in.The life guards realized that something wasn’t right. On the other hand Mrs Jones was shouting,
“ 5 meters to go!”
Kendra wasn’t feeling good. CHARLOTTE HAD WON! The Lifeguard jumped into the pool as fast as they could. Kendra got pulled out of the water and eceivedrCPR straight away. Mrs Jones was in a right panic,
“Is she alive?” she asked in a worried voice)
One of the lifeguards said,
“She is going to have to go to the hospital -can you ring them?”
Mrs Jones dials 111. Straight away the ambulance arrived. The ambulance lady,Luna, said,
“ Lie her down on her side so all the water can drain out of her lungs onto the floor .”
Then they put the spinal board behind her back and loaded her into the ambulance van. Charlotte was happy about her win, but she wasn’t happy because Kendra got CPR.
Sadly, 24 hour Kendra Rose Gilbert passed on as she swallowed lots of water.
Rest in peace Kendra Rose Gilbert
