A young man “”averted a massive tragedy” after falling into the sea off County Waterford when two teenagers were caught in the current while swimming on Wednesday night, reports The Mirror.
The 13-year-olds, who had just started their high school summer vacation, were swimming at Clonea Beach in Waterford at around 5.30pm when Thomas Shaw Hamilton noticed the boys were having trouble swimming when they got caught in the current.
Without hesitation, Mr. Shaw Hamilton immediately ran into the water, calmed the two boys, and brought them safely to shore.
Damien Geoghan, a peace officer and former mayor of the City and County of Waterford, said he was nominating his name for the National Bravery Award.
A Fine Gael councilor said: “An absolutely massive shout-out to Thomas Shaw Hamilton for his amazing feat of bravery and courage on Clonea Strand, when he noticed two boys in trouble with a rip-current. Thomas acted immediately and ran and entered the water, calmed the two boys down and brought them safely to shore, and averted a massive tragedy,” reports The Mirror.
Cllr Geoghan said he had spoken to Mr. Shaw Hamilton and sent him congratulations for a “job well done” and asked if he would mind being nominated for the National Bravery Award.
“He was both modest and gracious, so on that basis, I will be forwarding his name for a National Bravery Award. Thomas and his family were exceptional,” revealed Cllr Geoghan, reports The Mirror.
The 26-year-old explained: “I was on the beach with my mother who was giving swimming lessons and I was helping her out. It was cold so I had my lifejacket on trying to keep warm. I noticed the boys in the sea and I could see they were caught in a rip curl. I didn’t think about what could happen if I went into the water, I just saw that they were in trouble,” reports The Mirror.
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