In an extraordinary tale of heroism and miraculous survival, two Scots have been reunited 60 years after one saved the life of the other in a dramatic incident at Govan Baths in Glasgow. The incident took place on September 1, 1965, when 14-year-old Neil McPhee drowned after suffering an injury while swimming. With no lifeguards on duty that day, the situation escalated as staff prioritised evacuating children from the pool area, leaving Neil at the bottom of the water.
It was 19-year-old Tony Lenaghan who, upon hearing about the situation, made the life-saving decision to dive into the pool. He successfully retrieved Neil and performed CPR for approximately ten minutes until he restored his breathing. Reflecting on that day, Tony recalled, “There were hundreds of kids at Govan Baths that day and they didn’t have properly trained health and safety. All they were interested in was clearing the pool.”
Tony described the urgency of the moment, stating a woman's frantic call informed him there was “a wee dead boy in there.” Despite being initially told by staff that an ambulance was on the way, Tony insisted on jumping into the pool to help. “He wasn’t breathing. He was blue. I turned him upside down and started working away," he recounted. Over time, Neil began to regain colour and consciousness, eventually leading to a successful resuscitation.
Decades later, in late 2022, Neil, now 74 years old, made it his mission to locate Tony, who is now 79. Their reunion took place at Glasgow City Chambers, where Tony received a second Bravery Medal, a replacement for the original that had been stolen during a burglary in 1990. “That little boy contacted me. It was quite emotional. He told me he had a fantastic life and if it hadn’t been for me that wouldn’t have been possible,” Tony expressed.
Neil recounted his own memories of the day, explaining how he had gone underwater to retrieve a ring and ended up struggling when a friend mistakenly thought he was joking and kicked him. He only recalled regaining consciousness next to the pool as Tony administered CPR. Neil acknowledged Tony’s pivotal role in his life, stating, “Everything I’ve done since the age of 14 is down to Tony.” Neil moved on to pursue a successful career, initially at BT and later as a director of a construction company, and has since retired.
The emotional gathering not only celebrated a remarkable act of bravery but also illustrated the enduring bond formed through a life-saving encounter. The two men, whose fates intertwined in the summer of 1965, have now forged a connection that spans decades, underscoring the impact of a courageous decision made in a moment of crisis.
Source: Noah Wire Services