Schoolgirl swam out to sea to save the life of six-year-old girl

Megan Johnson, who lives in Cubbington and is a pupil of Kenilworth School, dived into the waves while on holiday and swam 200 yards to rescue the girl, who was being pulled out to sea in a rubber ring.

Last Monday, the 13-year-old was presented with the Royal Life Saving Society Young Persons’ Certificate of Commendation in acknowledgement of her bravery last summer.

The drama unfolded on the beach at Lyme Regis where Megan noticed the panic-stricken faces of the younger girl’s parents as she drfited further out to sea on the inflatable.

While others dashed off to look for a lifeguard, Megan checked with her own parents that she could go out and try to rescue the child.

Her mum Jayne said: “Thanks to her lessons with the life saving club we knew Megan was a better swimmer than either of us and we couldn’t find a lifeguard anywhere.

“She’s a very sensible girl and so we agreed she could go out and see what she could do.

“She must have swum 200 yards before reaching that frightened little girl and towing her and her rubber ring safely back to the shore.

“Her father Peter and I are 
really proud of her.”

So is Megan’s younger brother, Noah, who managed to sleep through the whole affair until he was woken by the shouts of 
gratitude on the beach.

But proudest of all is Warwick Life Saving Club president John Long and Warwickshire Royal Life Saving Society’s branch chairman Vivien Reeves.

Mrs Reeves said: “We are so pleased Megan used her lifesaving knowledge to make an effective rescue.

“At the moment we are actively looking for more young people interested in joining our UK Rookie Lifeguard class which meets at 7pm on Monday nights at Warwick School Sports Centre.”

For more information visit www.warwicklsc.co.uk or email Mrs Reeves on [email protected]