Boy, 12, saves best friend in sea rescue drama
Published: March 17, 2006
A HERO schoolboy has saved his best friend from drowning after courageously jumping into the sea to stop him being swept to his death.
Eleven-year-old Charlie Thompson lost his footing on top of a sea wall and fell into the icy waters of the English Channel.
He had been pulled under the waves when 12-year-old pal Louis Humpage risked his own life to go in after him.
In the nick of time Louis was able to dive into the water, grab hold of his friend and together they managed to swim to a beach close to the wall.
The pair, who have been friends since going to Howard Primary School, in Croydon, had been spending the weekend in Charlie’s dad John’s caravan in Selsey, West Sussex.
Charlie, from Coulsdon Road, Caterham, said: “We had gone out walking on Saturday afternoon and were on top of this big slope which was covered in green slime. I slipped and slid down the slope into the water.
“Louis was on his mobile at the time and didn’t see me slip, but as soon as he saw me he didn’t even bother to hang up, he just followed me down and grabbed me when he got into the water.
“The waves were bashing against the wall and it was really, really freezing in the water. I was really frightened.”
The drama had unfolded after Charlie had slipped on top of the 10ft high wall, which acts as a sea defence.
Having saved his life Louis then tried to calm down his understandably shocked friend.
Charlie, who has just started at Caterham’s de Stafford College, explained: “When we got back to the beach we were soaking wet and as we tried to get back to the caravan, frost was forming on our hands.
“I was really upset but Louis kept on trying to make me feel better as we walked along. I am just really glad he was there.”
Courageous Louis, from Edridge Road, Croydon, claims he had simply acted instinctively by saving his friend.
The youngster, who goes to Haling Manor High School, in South Croydon, said: “Charlie is my friend. When I saw him slide down I didn’t think, I just went after him and pulled him out of the water. It was scary, the waves were massive.”
Charlie’s mother Tracey revealed that her son, who only has one kidney, had escaped with a hurt foot but was still feeling very shocked by his ordeal.
She said: “You don’t realise how dangerous something as simple as walking along a seashore can be. We could so easily have lost Charlie if it wasn’t for Louis.”
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