New Army recruit saves live of two boys rescued from sea at Blackpool

A new Army recruit helped save two teenage boys after they got into trouble in the sea near Blackpool’s Central Pier.

The soldier, a teenager himself, revealed how he used his new training to help save the lives of two school boys pulled from the water.

19-year-old Private Michael Bunning, who’s based in Preston, gave CPR to the two lads, aged 12 and 14, after they were rescued from the sea.

The boys were rescued from the water by two teenage girls, after getting into trouble while cooling down with a swim on one of the hottest days on record in the UK.

MOD

Michael told Granada Reports: “My partner spotted them being rescued and we ran over.

“At first, I was only aware of the younger boy, I started giving CPR and he came around quite quickly.

“It was then that I was made aware of the other boy, so I put the first in the recovery position and started working on the other.”

The young lad began breathing again several minutes later and was rushed to Liverpool’s Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, where he remains in critical but stable condition.

The 12-year-old is currently at Blackpool Victoria Hospital in a ‘poorly’ but not critical condition, according to reports.

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Michael added: “It was stressful, but my training just kicked in. It’s amazing the training we get, and we are constantly refreshing. I couldn’t have done it without that.”

A North West Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We commend Michael’s actions for providing immediate care for the boys.

“In situations like this, every minute matters, and it sounds like his intervention was crucial on this occasion.

“We would encourage everyone to learn CPR and other first-aid skills as you never know if you might need to provide life-saving treatment to a family member, friend or even a stranger in an emergency.”

David Dixon / Geograph

Superintendent Chris Hardy from Blackpool Police issued a warning: “This incident once again shows, all too clearly, the dangers that open water can present.

“I have no doubt that if it hadn’t been for the brave and swift actions of the two girls who pulled the boys from the water, and Michael, who gave CPR alongside nearby security staff, we would have been dealing with at least one fatality.”