Hero Navan teen 'joins' Meath River Rescue after reunion with boy whose life he saved

A heroic Navan teenager who was praised for his bravery for saving a young child from the River Boyne last week says being reunited with the boy whose life he saved has inspired him to join a local river rescue team so he can “help save more lives.”

Callum Keane (16) from Fitzherbert Court said he “acted on instinct” when he noticed two boys in difficulty in water close to Swynnerton Lodge in the town last Wednesday and selflessly jumped into save them risking his own life in the process.

So touched by the emotional reunion with the 11-year-old boy he saved in the dramatic rescue this week Callum has vowed to join Meath River Rescue so he can “help other people in the future.” He said:

“Joining the river rescue wouldn’t have even crossed my mind before last week but I’d love to do it now.

“I didn’t realise what I did at the at time but I met the boy I rescued yesterday and it really hit home.

“He thanked me for saving his life. His mam was really emotional and said she was so grateful to me for me saving her son, it was a moment I’ll never forget.

“It was great to see that he was well and it got me thinking about what might have happened if I hadn’t gone in after him.

“Seeing what a differnce it made I would love to help other people who might be trouble in the future if I can.”

Wasting no time, the Navan teenager, a 5th year student in St Pat's CS has already lined up a lifeguard course and even spent some time in Meath River Rescue’s boathouse where he was shown the ropes by chairman Christopher Rennicks.

Speaking about the experience he said:

“When I went to the boathouse Christopher showed me the life vests and the helmets and equipment they use and put me in some of the boats.

“It was really interesting to see how it all worked and I’m really excited to learn more about it.

“I’m a bit too young to join at the moment but I’m going to do a lifeguard course in the meantime so that when I turn 18 I’ll be ready.”

Describing at the time what happened on the evening he came across the boys in distress in the river, Callum said:

“I was out for a walk with my girlfriend Grace Clarke down along the river and we heard a little boy screaming and calling for help and we saw his friends along the bank running towards him.

“My first instinct was to jump in after him when I saw him to try and help him so I jumped in and swam across to him.

"Then I just picked him up and threw him over my shoulder and just walked against the currents to try and find a gap through the reeds to get him on to the bank.

“The currents were really strong and it was a struggle to get through the reeds but thankfully I did and he was ok.

“The second boy was trying to get through the reeds so I just helped him onto the bank.

"They were shaking and in shock but were both ok thank god.

“My mam had me in swimming lessons at a young age so I obviously still know a thing or two.”

The modest youngster has shrugged off the heroic act, saying “anyone would have done the same in his shoes.”

“I couldn’t just walk on when I heard those little kids screaming for help. I have two little sisters and I’d want someone to do the same if they were in those boy’s positions.

"My phone has been hopping ever since I can't believe all of the attention it has gotten."

Christopher Rennicks Chairman of Meath River Rescue who was on the scene of the incident has praised the young Meath man and says he will make “a fine member of the voluntary rescue team someday”.

“Callum is amazing young man, a real local hero, only for Callum was there, it doesn’t bear thinking what might have happened to those boys.

“He will make a great candidate to join us in a couple of years, I’d be delighted to have him as part of the team. He has certainly passed the test”

Callum’s dad Francis says he and his wife Claudine also parents to Chloe (13) and Amelia (8) are ‘incredibly proud’ of his quick-thinking son.

“We are very proud of him and what he did and how he has conducted himself. He is taking it all in his stride.

“He met the boy he saved earlier this week and it really made him realise the magnitude of what he did.

“They say you shouldn’t go into water after someone but as he says he acted on instinct and thankfully saved that young lad and there was a happy ending for everyone.”