A New Zealander who helped rescue a man from drowning in Donegal Bay earlier this year is to be honoured next week for his bravery.
John O’Connor was enjoying a day out with his family last May when a man jumped overboard Donegal Bay Waterbus near Murvagh beach.
When the alarm was raised John courageously dived in and swam out to rescue the man, who was struggling in the choppy waters.
After battling against strong currents John used life-saving techniques to rescue the man, and with the help of another passenger and two nurses, managed to get him back on board the Waterbus and revive him.
Now John, who is currently living in Killygordon with his wife Ciara (a native of Bundoran) and their two children is to be officially recognised for his act of bravery.
Next Tuesday afternoon at an Irish Water Safety national awards ceremony in Dublin Castle he will receive a Seiko award for helping prevent the man from drowning.
The award will be presented to him by Minister of State Michael Kitt.
Speaking to the Donegal Post last May, after rescuing the man, John said: “I’m a strong swimmer, having learnt from a young age in New Zealand, so I had no hesitation in taking off my sandals and diving into the water”.
He said that the man that he had rescued was extremely “lucky to be alive”.
John added: “To be honest, I thought I was bringing back a dead body. It all happened so fast, I thought he was definitely gone. His lungs were full of water and he was sinking fast.”