A university student in Seattle has been honoured for rescuing three young girls from drowning in Lake Washington while she was sitting by the water reading a book. Lillie Vehling noticed the children struggling in the water and swam out to bring them safely to shore, an act of quick thinking that likely prevented a tragedy. Her intervention has since been recognised with the highest honour available for the act, highlighting the value of bystander vigilance around open water.

The rescue took place at Lake Washington, where Vehling was said to have been engrossed in her reading before spotting the girls in distress. She acted swiftly to reach all three children and get them out of the water, and her bravery has since drawn public recognition and praise from officials for the award granted to her.