Did you save me from drowning? US businessmen in search for pair who pulled him from brook and gave him kiss of life 44 years ago
AN AMERICAN businessman is searching for the two people who saved him from drowning 44 years ago.
Andy Steggles, who now lives in Washington DC, has so far drawn a blank in his quest to find Peter Owen and Anne Barley.
Peter dragged the lifeless boy from Hatchford Brook, Chelmsley Wood, on May 17, 1973; Anne gave him the kiss of life.
Raised in Sutton Coldfield, 47-year-old Andy went on to cofound leading software company Higher Logic. He is also an author and sought-after conference speaker.
He said: “For the past 20 or so years, I’ve been periodically trying to find either Anne or Peter, but to no avail.
“They may not even be alive. I have no idea.
“I recently thought I’d found the right person – a nurse who worked in the Solihull area, but unfortunately it didn’t work out.”
Andy, who also served in the Royal Navy, has based his search on an article, printed by our sister paper, The Birmingham Mail, which covered the Royal Humane Society awards handed to Peter and Anne for their actions.
That story revealed that Anne lived in Holly Lane, Marston Green, and Peter in Croft, Chelmsley Wood.
It stated: “The two life-savers received their certificates after reviving a small boy pulled unconscious from Hatchford Brook, Chelmsley Wood, on May 17.
“Mrs Barley, a mother of two, used her knowledge of the kissof-life after Mr Owen had fetched the boy out of the water. She said: ‘We managed to recover his breathing before the ambulance arrived. It seemed like hours at the time, but I imagine it took a few minutes before he began breathing. In an emergency case like this, you have to do what you can for you know someone’s life is in danger.’”
Andy has never forgotten how much he owes the pair.
On Higher Logic’s website, he says: “I grew up in Sutton Coldfield, near Birmingham in Eng- Liverpool land, although I spent most of my summers in Newquay, down in Cornwall.
“When I was three-years-old, I fell into the local river and almost drowned.
“Members of the community rescued me and managed to resuscitate me. I’ve never forgotten their random act of kindness or the power behind a caring community.”
He added: “I’m a great believer in thanking and recognising those who do good things and especially those who have positively impacted my life.
“Needless to say, Anne Barley is towards the top of my list.
“I now live in the US – in the Washington, DC area – and am in a position where I can thank both Anne and Peter in both a meaningful and material manner.
“It’s rare you can actually say to someone, ‘You saved my life’, but in this case, it’s literally the case.
“Even if Anne isn’t alive, the article shows she had a couple of kids, so at the very least, I’d like to make sure they are aware of this amazing thing their mother did.
“I visit the UK a couple of times per year while on business or seeing my family and would love to meet either Peter or Anne in person to express my appreciation for what they did for me.”
If anyone can help, ring Mike Lockley on 0121 234 5553.
It’s rare you can actually say to someone, ‘You saved my life’, but in this case, it’s literally the case Andy Steggles