Scouts honoured for saving a boy’s life

MOLLIE Powell, a member of 38th Rush Scout Group, along with 6th Wexford Sea Scout, Sean Thompson, recently received Scouting Ireland Honour Awards for their bravery in saving a boy from drowning while on holidays in Turkey.

During the holiday, both Mollie and Sean saw a 14-year-old Turkish boy being knocked unconscious after he jumped into a river from a 25-foot high gantry. 

After Sean dived into the river to catch the boy, Mollie ran to the riverside and waded in to help Sean bring the unconscious boy to safety. 

Mollie helped place the boy in the recovery position and secured his airways before a nearby tourist, who was a nurse, took over and performed CPR. 

After being brought to hospital by paramedics, the boy regained consciousness and made a full recovery.

Mollie and Sean worked together and used the skills they learned in scouting to save the teenager’s life.  Both Mollie and Sean received their awards on February 25, at the Scouting Ireland Youth Achievement Awards held in Trinity College. 

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 our 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; to be recognised and celebrated among their peers and family members.

“We are deeply encouraged by the number of recipients and the impact their efforts have had on their communities.”