Hero rescuers save girl, 14, from certain death
Published: August 24, 2006
TWO brave men have been hailed as heroes after saving a teenager in a dramatic sea rescue.
Richard Hone and Neil Kirkbride raced into the cold and choppy water off the coast of Bridlington when they saw the 14-year-old girl being swept out to sea by a strong current.
Richard said: “We were on the beach playing rounders when we heard screams coming from the sea. People were pointing and watching. The girl was about 200 to 300 yards out. Locals were saying don’t go in - but we could see she was in trouble.”
But Richard, 40, and brother-in-law Neil, 31, both strong swimmers, didn’t hesitate and ran into the sea, battling the current for more than 30 minutes to get to the girl.
Father-of-two Richard, who at one point feared for his own life, said: “The water was very choppy - big waves. I kept getting taken under - it was a very scary experience. It was difficult to get to her and I shouted to Neil - ‘I don’t think we are going to get out of here!’
“Eventually we battled to get to her - and Neil grabbed her by the hair to get hold of her. Gradually we pulled her to shore.”
Richard’s wife Jeanette, 36, who was watching helplessly from the beach, said: “I felt extremely scared - I wanted to do something but I couldn’t - I was shouting because I knew he was in trouble.”
Back on shore the emergency services arrived at the scene. Window fitter Richard, of Elm Place, Armthorpe - who was on a day trip visiting logistics manager Neil, of Bevre Road, also Armthorpe, also a dad-of-two, who was on holiday - was air-lifted to the local hospital along with the girl and her friend.
It has emerged that Kirsty Johnson, 14, of Stapleford, Notts, had been swimming with lifelong pal, Rosie Hodgson, also 14, of Heanor, Derbyshire, when they had both got into difficulty. Rosie had swam to safety, but looked on as Kirsty was swept out.
The brave rescuers were praised by the girls’ families for their actions last Thursday. They have received thank-you cards and guardian angel key rings.
Kirsty’s mum, Maria, 35, said: “I am very very grateful to the two men. They were in the sea for quite some time. We owe everything to them for their heroic actions.”
And Bridlington auxiliary coastguard Irene Cook said: “It was a very brave thing for the men to do and the water was very cold. They probably saved a life.”
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