A 16-YEAR-OLD has been credited with rescuing 11 and 12 year old boys from the Boyne river in Navan yesterday evening.

Callum Keane, from Navan, went into the river close to Swynnerton Lodge after seeing the two were in difficulty.

The two are understood to have been part of a group of 5, all aged around 11 or 12, who were swimming in the river at around 7pm.

A woman rang Meath River Rescue after she saw the two in trouble and chairman of the rescue, Christopher Rennicks, said the woman stayed on the phone to him and saw the teenager jump in to help them.

When Rennicks arrived at the scene Callum had got them to safety on the other side of the river.

He drove Callum home and his mother Claudine said, “I am very proud of him and am delighted the two boys are safe.”

“Callum came in and he was shocked and shaking but he played it down. He said it was all grand, he did not think it was as big a deal but a teenager would not realise how valuable two lives are.”

“I know if it was my child I’d be very happy to think somebody would risk their lives to save him,” she added.

He told her and his dad Francis that he was fine and he headed back out to his friends.

Claudine said she had made him go to swimming lessons when he was younger and it was worth it.

“It all stands to them, they should all be doing them,” she said.

Callum knew the younger boys to see and she said, “he took it all in his stride. I am glad the two lads are safe and 2 families have a good outcome.”

Rennicks, also paid tribute to Callum saying, “he is an amazing chap to do what he did. Our message to everyone is to away from the water, it is too dangerous. It could have been a lot worse.”

Speaking to RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, a very modest Callum said he wasn’t expecting the reaction he’s had to the incident. 

He also described how he was surprised the strong current hadn’t swept one of the boys away by the time he reached him, and how happy he was to be able to help them.

“My phone’s been hopping all night and all day,” he said.