Wexford scout honoured for brave act in saving boy’s life
TWO Scouts, one of them from Wexford, have been honoured by Scouting Ireland for their brave act in saving a young Turkish boy who was drowning.
The Honour Award was presented to Sean Thompson, from Carne, a member of 6th Wexford Sea Scouts, and 38th Rush Scout Mollie Powell, for bravery in saving the boy’s life while they were on holiday in Turkey last year.
Both Sean and Mollie saw a 14-yearold Turkish boy being knocked unconscious after he jumped into a river from a 25-foot gantry. Immediately, Sean dived into the river to catch the boy while Mollie aided both Sean and the boy out of the water. As Sean was about to start CPR on the boy, a nearby tourist who was a nurse also aided in the rescue. After being brought to hospital by paramedics, the boy regained consciousness and made a full recovery. If it were not for the quick thinking and skill set that Sean received from being part of 6th Wexford Sea Scouts, the outcome of this event could have been much worse. Sean and Mollie will receive their award last weekend at the Scouting Ireland Youth Achievement Awards at Trinity College Dublin. The awards recognise the personal development and achievement of Scouting Ireland’s youth members from across the Island of Ireland. Chief Scout Christy McCann said the Youth Achievement Awards acknowledge youth members who have risen to the challenge of voluntarily committing to doing something worthwhile and life-enhancing for themselves, the environment and the community. Sean, a student at Bridgetown Vocational College, is the son of Emmet and his wife Olga.