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Pair who pulled boy from bay after accident are honored

Kerry Reardon was giving a driving lesson. Kelli Earle was on her way to a baby shower. Along the way, they saved little Amar's life.

By KEVIN GRAHAM
Published May 17, 2006

	[Times photo: Brian Cassella]
	Kerry Reardon hugs Amira Jakupovic at a ceremoney where he received an award for his role in saving her son's life after the family's car plunged off the Howard Frankland Bridge last year.

TAMPA - Amira Jakupovic's eyes welled with tears as she looked over her shoulder to see her son playing basketball with the woman who helped save his life.

Six months ago, 8-year-old Amar Jakupovic lay lifeless on a stranger's boat in Old Tampa Bay after being rescued from his family's submerged SUV. Doctors expected he would have brain damage, his mother said.

"He remembers everything," Amira Jakupovic said, but he doesn't talk much about the accident.

On Tuesday, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4340 of Brandon presented awards to the man and woman who pulled Amar from his family's Ford Explorer and gave him CPR.

"They saved my life," a shy Amar said of Kerry Reardon and Kelli Earle, both St. Petersburg natives.

The Jakupovic pronounced yock-uh-POE-vich family had been driving toward Tampa across the Howard Frankland Bridge on Nov. 5 when a back tire blew on their SUV. The explosion caused Amar's mother to lose control of the vehicle, which flipped off the bridge and landed in the water.

Amira; her husband, Mujo; and their 13-year-old son, Emrah, managed to escape. Little Amar was trapped in the back seat.

Reardon had been teaching his daughter to drive when he came upon the accident scene and dived into the water after finding out someone was still inside the vehicle. He found Amar buckled up in the back seat, like a "rag doll."

He told his daughter that day to pick a direction of travel during her driving lesson. She normally chose the Sunshine Skyway bridge. That day, she didn't.

Earle, a nurse, was heading to Tampa for a baby shower when she stopped to see if anyone needed medical attention. She too jumped in the water and swam to a boat that had come to pull the family and rescuers from the water. She gave Amar CPR.

"These two people I would like to have around if I ever get into any problems," William Hayes , commander of VFW Post 4340, said before presenting plaques and $100 checks.

Reardon and Earle do not view themselves as heroes.

"People see me every day. They don't know who I am," said Reardon. "I just wanted him to be okay."

"It was just a series of events that could not have played out more perfectly to keep this family together," added Earle.

Originally from Bosnia, the Jakupovic family came to the United States seven years ago and have become American citizens. They live in St. Petersburg. Amira Jakupovic works as a medical transcriptionist. Her husband, who is still having slight problems with his leg after the accident, doesn't work.

Reardon and Earle have become extended family members.

"I love them to death, and I always will," Amira Jakupovic said.

Earle goes to Jakupovic family celebrations. Reardon has bought them fishing rods and plans to take them snook fishing soon. Reardon, Earle and Amar realized Tuesday they all celebrate birthdays this month.

Emrah is appreciative to Reardon and Earle, too. And he said things have changed between him and his younger brother.

"Before, he used to be annoying," Emrah said. "But now, he's kind of different."

Kevin Graham can be reached at (813) 226-3433 or kgraham@sptimes.com.

[Last modified May 17, 2006, 07:08:51]