Community · Swindon
Swindon men honoured in Parliament for heroic Coate Water rescue
By Swindon Now Editorial Team · Published
Four men who saved a drowning four-year-old boy at Coate Water earlier this year have been honoured for their bravery by Swindon South MP Heidi Alexander.
Four residents have been formally recognised for their life-saving actions after they helped rescue a four-year-old boy from the lake at Coate Water. The group, named as Elliott, Francisco, Roque, and Rezentin, were invited to Parliament this week by Swindon South MP Heidi Alexander to receive official letters of commendation for their courage.
The incident occurred on June 27 when bystanders spotted the young boy in distress within the water. The quick-thinking group moved immediately to assist, pulling the child from the lake before emergency services arrived. An air ambulance was dispatched to the scene, where paramedics performed life-saving treatment before transporting the boy to the Great Western Hospital.
Reflecting on the event, MP Heidi Alexander described the men as representing the best of the town. She stated that their actions were truly heroic and demonstrated a selfless willingness to step forward in a moment of extreme danger. The ceremony served as a formal gesture of gratitude from the community for their intervention, which doctors later confirmed was essential for the boy's survival.
The child's mother, Carly-Alice Jones, described the recovery as a miracle. She expressed her profound gratitude to the four men for their swift response, noting that the incident took place during a family visit to the park. Following the rescue, multiple medical professionals advised the family that the outcome would have been significantly worse had the delay in reaching the boy been any longer.
The four rescuers, including Elliot Bradwell, who was involved in the physical rescue after receiving assistance from onlookers to enter the water, were praised for their composure under pressure. The incident has since become a focal point of community pride regarding the bravery of local residents who chose to act rather than stand by.
Source: Swindon Advertiser - Lifestyle · View original