ANNA MARIA – Seven-and-a-half-year-old New Hampshire resident Nick Costa was recognized last week for an act that helped save the life of his four-year-old brother, Jake.
During the Anna Maria City Commission’s April 26 meeting, Sgt. Mike Jones presented Costa with a certificate of appreciation. The boys’ parents, Jeff and Jessica Costa, accompanied them to the commission meeting.
Before he presented Nick with his certificate of appreciation, Jones described the events that transpired.
“On Sunday, April 22, in the late afternoon, Nicholas was here on vacation with his family. They had just arrived and were settling in at their vacation rental on South Bay. Nicholas and Jacob were playing on the beach with their parents and decided to go to the pool deck. Unbeknownst to Jacob’s father, he followed behind his dad, defeating the pool gate lock. While his dad and brother were attempting to set up a pool table on the deck, Jacob decided to go into the pool. Jacob’s older brother, Nicholas, noticed he was beneath the surface and was in severe danger. Nicholas alerted his father immediately. Mr. Costa jumped in, pulled his son out of the pool and he was unresponsive and not breathing. Dad, along with other family members, started CPR and revived Jacob. On behalf of the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Wells and the city of Anna Maria, please accept this small token of appreciation for your heroic act. Good job!” Jones said.