The maid Maria dropped her tray of laundry the moment she saw the splash.
She ran across the wide patio as fast as her shoes could carry her.
Her young son Toby screamed out in absolute terror from the garden path.
Toby: Mommy, help him! He is under the water!
Maria: Stay back right there, Toby! Do not come near the edge!
Maria reached the pool lip and dropped straight down onto her knees.
She plunged her arms deep into the icy blue water without hesitating.
She could see Julian struggling against the heavy weight of the submerged chair.
Maria tried to grab Julian's shoulders, but he was too deep down.
Maria: Somebody help us! Please, somebody call an ambulance!
Evelyn was standing nearby, clutching her chest with a fake expression of horror.
Evelyn: Oh my goodness, he slipped! It was a terrible accident!
Maria: Stop standing there and help me pull him out!
Evelyn: I cannot swim, Maria! Do not talk to me like that!
Maria ignored Evelyn's lies and reached down even deeper into the water.
Her dark uniform soaked up the water as she leaned completely over the side.
Down below, Julian managed to slip his upper body free from the lap strap.
He kicked off the footrests using the very last bit of his strength.
His head broke through the water surface as he coughed violently for air.
Maria grabbed his wet shirt collar tightly with both hands.
Maria: I have you, Julian! Hold onto my arms!
Julian: I... I cannot hold on! I am slipping!
The weight of Julian's soaked clothes made it impossible for Maria to lift him alone.
Julian's fingers slipped off the wet tile edge as fatigue overwhelmed him.
Just as he began to slide back under, heavy footsteps slammed against the stone patio.
A strong hand reached down and grabbed Julian firmly under his armpits.
It was Arthur, the estate's long-time groundskeeper and trusted family friend.
Arthur threw his phone onto the grass and leaned his heavy body over the pool.
Arthur: I got you, son! Pull together on three!
Maria: Pull now, Arthur! He is losing energy fast!
Arthur hauled Julian up with a massive surge of strength.
They dragged his limp body across the concrete edge onto the dry ground.
Julian collapsed onto his side, choking up water and gasping for air.
Arthur quickly rolled him onto his shoulder to clear his lungs completely.
Toby was crying nearby, hugging his mother's wet apron tightly.
Evelyn slowly walked over with a handkerchief pressed against her mouth.
Evelyn: Thank goodness you saved him! His wheelchair must have lost brake pressure!
Julian coughed heavily and lifted his trembling hand toward Evelyn.
Julian: You... you pushed me!