2 young Islanders have been recognised by the Royal Life Saving Society UK’s Isle of Wight branch for their brave actions which helped prevent the loss of 2 lives last month.
Lucy Hole, 8, and Hayley-Louise Andrews, 15, have both received a Young Persons Certificate of Commendation following 2 separate incidents – both of which could have had very different outcomes had the girls not reacted when they did.
On 21st November, Lucy Hole was spending some time away with her little brother, Jack, and their nan and grandad at Luccombe Hall Hotel near Shanklin.
After swimming with grandad, Jack’s nan was drying him off and removed his arm bands. Suddenly, Jack turned around and ran across the room before jumping into the deep end of the pool. Before either grandparent could react, Lucy had jumped in herself and dived down to get Jack from the bottom of the pool. Amazingly, Lucy pulled Jack up and swam him to safety.
Lucy has had swimming lessons since she was little and this summer attended a swim safe day at Sandown. To further enhance Lucy’s skills, The Waterside Pool in Ryde have awarded the youngster a term of rookie lifeguarding lessons.
Tim Griffin, Chairman of the Royal Lifesaving Society Isle of Wight Branch, who presented the awards at The Waterside Pool this morning (Sunday), said:
“The fact that Lucy attended the swim safe lessons in Sandown earlier this year meant she learnt the skills to enable her to save her brother’s life.
“The great thing now is that she has been given rookie lifeguard lessons that will further enhance her skills and make her an even safer water user”.
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As previously reported by Island Echo, 15-year-old Hayley-Louise Andrews helped rescue an intoxicated man on the beach at Sandown during the town’s November celebrations this year.
Whilst thousands of people were enjoying the annual fireworks display, one man took it upon himself to enter the bitterly cold water in a state of undress.
Hayley-Louise started to become concerned for the man’s safety and entered to the water to assist him. By the time she had reached the man he was face down in the water. As Hayley-Louise pulled him up he was choking, so she delivered a firm slap on the back and he started to breath normally again.
5 other people eventually clocked on to what was happening and rushed to assist Miss Andrews and the unidentified man, who were both later given the all clear by paramedics.
Hayley-Louise has been given a £100 voucher towards a lifeguard course by The Waterside Pool. This was presented by Todd Miller, general manager of the pool and RLSS Isle of Wight board member.
Tim Griffin has said of Hayley’s efforts:
“Hayley’s rescue is just amazing, especially as she has had no life-saving training but quickly recognised someone was in danger and acted at a busy event. She took it upon herself to put her own life at risk. She is a very responsible and brave young lady.
“The voucher she has been given will enhance her training, so it’s a great way to say thank you.
“Hopefully this will also encourage other people her age to think about becoming a lifeguard and the benefits this has to the local community”.
