Man praised after rescuing teenagers from sea in Waterford

Thomas Shaw Hamilton, who has been praised for rescuing two teenagers who were caught in a rip tide off the Waterford coast. 

A man averted a potential tragedy off the Waterford coast when two teenagers were caught in a rip tide while swimming on Wednesday evening.

The teenagers, aged 13, were swimming on Clonea Strand in Waterford at around 5.30pm when Thomas Shaw Hamilton noticed they had gotten into trouble.

Mr Shaw Hamilton, without hesitation, went immediately into the water, calmed the two boys down, and brought them safely to shore.

Mr Shaw Hamilton and his family run a small start-up paddle-boarding business, Jungle Athletics, in Stradbally, Co Waterford.

Speaking about what happened on the strand, an emotional Mr Shaw Hamilton explained that he “just knew the two boys were in trouble when I saw their heads bobbing up and down in the water”.

The 26-year-old said: “I was on the beach with my mother who was giving swimming lessons and I was helping her out. It was cold so I had my lifejacket on trying to keep warm. I noticed the boys in the sea and I could see they were caught in a rip curl. I didn’t think about what could happen if I went into the water, I just saw that they were in trouble.” 

Rip current

Clonea Strand, Co Waterford. where two young swimmers got into difficulty before being rescued.

Mr Shaw Hamilton said it took him about 10 minutes to reach the two boys as the rip current was so strong.

“What really helped me when I got out to them was the fact I had a life jacket on. I was able to take it off and we used that to keep us afloat as the rip curl was very strong. The two boys were strong swimmers but we were all getting tired.

“We were flapping and waving at those on the shoreline so they noticed us. After about 15 minutes we managed to get back to the shoreline. So many people came to help us. It really was amazing.” 

 He added: “After what happened on Wednesday evening, I really just want to warn people and primary and secondary school children how dangerous the water can be.

“More education is needed around water and sea safety in schools nationwide. The three of us are lucky after what happened and I’m glad the two lads are alright.”

Onlookers called emergency services and the RNLI were on the scene within 15 minutes.

The RNLI, the Irish Coast Guard Rescue 117 Sikorsky S-92 helicopter based in Waterford along with gardaí were also tasked to the scene.

The teenagers were brought to University Hospital Waterford for medical treatment as a precaution.

Bravery

Damien Geoghan, a peace commissioner and former Lord Mayor of Waterford city and county, said that he was putting Mr Shaw Hamilton's name forward for a National Bravery Award.

The Fine Gael councillor said: “An absolutely massive shout-out to Thomas Shaw Hamilton for his amazing feat of bravery and courage on Clonea Strand, when he noticed two boys in trouble with a rip-current.

“Thomas acted immediately and ran and entered the water, calmed the two boys down and brought them safely to shore, and averted a massive tragedy.” Cllr Geoghan said that he spoke with Mr Shaw Hamilton and passed on his congratulations to him on a “job well done”, and also asked if he would mind being nominated for a National Bravery Award.

“He was both modest and gracious, so on that basis, I will be forwarding his name for a National Bravery Award. Thomas and his family were exceptional,” revealed Cllr Geoghan.

“A massive well done once again to Thomas.”