A 15 year old boy who managed to push a friend to safety after they were caught in a strong current, whilst doing everything in his power to save a second pal in the water,has described a bravery award he is set to receive today as “bittersweet.”
David Akar (14) from Togher in Cork city is due to become of one of the youngest ever recipients of a National Bravery Award this afternoon at a ceremony in Dublin.
David, who will receive a gold medal, is among 23 people who will receive awards at Farmleigh House in the Phoenix Park in Dublin.
On August 24th 2023, Jack O’Sullivan from Friars Walk in Cork died after he got in to difficulty in the water at Passage West in Cork.
David Akar, told the Opinion Line on Cork’s 96FM, that he was amongst the group of friends who went in to the water that day only to quickly realise that the current was exceptionally strong.
“I checked the water first because everyone was saying ‘you have the lifeguard certificate you check the water.’
"The two lads jumped in from the right side of the pontoon and got in to difficulty. My first reaction was to help them so I dived in to the water straight away and first I helped one of the other lads. I put him over my right shoulder and brought him towards the pontoon.
"I swam back over to Jack. I tried many different saving positions for Jack. But the undercurrent was very strong. We were just getting spun in a ball and thrown.”
David said that he managed to get Jack over his right shoulder.
“ He let out a giggle of relief. I left out a small bit of relief myself. The current was so strong that we were trying to just go at the same speed towards the pontoon but we were getting further and further away not closer.
"I got him on to my right shoulder and the current was way too strong. Jack was the same kind of build as me so it was basically like me trying to carry myself and trying to swim at the same speed as the water was dragging us back. It just wasn’t working. I tried different saving positions after that then.
"I tried dragging him and things like that but Jack was in a state of panic and he was trying his best to keep himself above the water.
"The more he struggled the more he panicked and the more I panicked. I was going underwater he was going underwater. We were both going up and down.
"Then he was fully submerged under the water and the only thing I could see was his right arm. And then I pulled him three times to the right side to a small boat that was on the pontoon. I then pulled him to the pontoon.
"I climbed up on the boat and I told Jack ‘ get to the boat, get to the boat. I went up on to the boat first knowing he was right behind me. As I got on to the boat Jack was no longer there. I screamed to everybody to go get help. They did their best to get help.”
David said he took three deep breaths and dived back in to the water in a bid to save Jack.
“I was trying to grab him and touch him to see if he was there but I was only grabbing green moss.”
He added that Jack was a fantastic athlete and a funny character who uplifted all of his friends.
“He was a great helper if you were ever stuck for anything. He would always motivate you if you had a match and you weren’t in the mood or you were injured. It is bitter sweet this award.”
David’s mother Pamela Creegan said that her son did everything in his power to save Jack.
“The undercurrent was terrible. It is a beautiful place but extremely dangerous when the current is against you. Unfortunately the outcome was poor Jack lost his life on the day.
As much as we are honoured today for David to be receiving the Gold Medal bravery award our thoughts today will be with Jack and his family. The impact of losing your son, brother and nephew. There are no words.”
Jack, had been due to go into second year at Coláiste Éamann Rís on St Patrick’s Road in Cork city. He was a keen sportsman.
A guard of honour was provided at the funeral and in the graveyard by his schoolmates and sporting friends at St Finbarr’s GAA club and Pearse Celtic.
He is survived by his parents Kevin and Evyonn, his siblings Kayleigh, Sophie, Chloe, Mia, James and baby Isabelle. He is also “sadly missed” by his grandparents, uncles, aunts, relatives and a wide circle of friends.
