7-year-old saved from water by lifeguard while walking his dog

Girl’s mother praises ‘heroic’ Patrick Mungovan after rescue at Seafield pier

[Aug 2, 2021: The Brighter Side of News]

7-year-old Leah Peters and her mother Julie Peters were visiting Seafield pier in Quilty, west Co Clare, when the unimaginable happened - Leah fell from the pier into the water.

Lifeguard Patrick Mungovan (25) was walking his dog by the pier when he heard the girl’s mom calling out for help. “I was just there for a walk with the dog, I saw this lady screaming and crying,” he told reporters.

He said that as he approached Julie he caught glimpse of Leah struggling to stay afloat in the water. He immediately dropped his dog’s leash and jumped in to save her, bringing her back to safety on the pier.

After emerging from the water with Leah, Julie “was hugging me and crying”, he said.

“This young man heard my scream for help and without hesitation came running towards me and entered the water immediately, even with his iPhone and car keys still in his pocket,” Julie said.

“Leah has been examined by a doctor who said she was very lucky and could have started to intake water to her lungs had she been struggling in the water any longer,” she said.

Julie said that Mr. Mungovan was heroic and thanked Patrick for his “bravery and life-saving skills”, which she said had saved her daughter’s life.

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Tags: #Good_News, #Kindness, #Life_Saving, #Heroism, #The_Brighter_Side_of_News


Joseph Shavit
Joseph ShavitSpace, Technology and Medical News Writer
Joseph Shavit is the head science news writer with a passion for communicating complex scientific discoveries to a broad audience. With a strong background in both science, business, product management, media leadership and entrepreneurship, Joseph possesses the unique ability to bridge the gap between business and technology, making intricate scientific concepts accessible and engaging to readers of all backgrounds.