This browser does not support the Video element.
WHITESBURG, Ga. - The family of a little girl who nearly drowned Friday in the Chattahoochee River said she is showing signs of improvement.
Family members told FOX 5 Kendall Calhoun, 6, remains in the ICU, but she is breathing on her own now and has even started talking, coloring and eating solid foods.
Meanwhile, the girl's family is also dealing with tremendous heartbreak after losing Kendall's older sister. Relatives told FOX 5 Alyssa Calhoun, 14, died while trying to save Kendall Friday afternoon.
Carroll County Sheriff Captain Jeff Richards said the girls were on ‘noodle’ floatation devices in the river when they went under at the McIntosh Reserve Park in Whitesburg. The girls' grandmother Jeanette Calhoun said their father tried to save them but he can't swim. A man flagged down a nearby park ranger for help, according to investigators.
Crews were able pull both the girls from the water and perform CPR at the scene. Alyssa was rushed to Tanner Medical Center where she later died. Kendall was rushed to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston in critical condition.
"Alyssa died a hero, saving her baby sister" Jeanette Calhoun said.
Calhoun added the Newnan family is overwhelmed with grief, considering they lost another grandchild and a great-grandchild a month ago.
If you would like to help the family with funeral expenses, click here.