Eight-Year-Old Hero: Saving Lives on the Welsh Coast

Steven Williams is only eight years old, but he has already saved the lives of five people—all within two days. In late August, Williams, who lives in Wales, was kayaking in the sea when he spotted three people in distress. He paddled over to the trio—an elderly woman and two teenage girls, tourists in the area—and discovered they had gone for a swim but could not get back to shore due to a strong current. Using a rope he tossed to them, Williams managed to pull them back to safety.

Two days later, Williams was back in his kayak along the coast when he encountered two young men stranded on a rock in the middle of the sea, calling for help. Their phone batteries had died, leaving them stranded, hungry, tired, and wet, with no way to call for assistance. This time, Williams contacted the coast guard, who used a rescue boat to bring the young men back to safety.

The Welsh coastline is particularly treacherous for tourists who use the beach as a shortcut to their camping sites, often finding themselves stuck. Without the help of this local eight-year-old, five tourists might have paid with their lives for trying to save some travel time.

"People often get caught in the currents here," Steven said in an interview with a local newspaper. "I just helped however I could."

Steven's father, who works with the coast guard, says he is extremely proud of his son's quick thinking. Steven, if it isn't already clear, plans to join the coast guard himself—just as soon as he turns 17.