Four American brothers visiting Ireland have returned home as heroes after rescuing a young girl and her father from drowning in the ocean. Eoghan, Walter, and Declan Butler, along with their brother-in-law Alex Thomson, traveled from Washington D.C. to attend their grandfather’s funeral.
While enjoying a day at Portmarnock Beach, the brothers heard cries for help as a 6-year-old girl on a flotation device was swept out to sea by a strong current. Eoghan, Declan, and Alex immediately rushed into the water to save her, while Walter stayed on the beach to be ready for any CPR needs. The trio swam for about 25 minutes to reach the girl, who had drifted half a mile from shore—a daunting challenge even for these athletic young men.
Upon reaching her, they took turns swimming back to shore with her flotation device, ensuring she remained safe. After successfully bringing the girl back to land, they discovered her father was still in the water, having donned a life vest in an attempt to help. Eoghan and Declan quickly re-entered the water to rescue him as well.
The brothers felt immense relief after the rescue but were particularly moved when they met the girl’s mother the following day. Declan shared with The Washington Post, “Seeing her jump around, kiss her mom, that was actually amazing.”
The incident took on an even deeper significance for the brothers; they realized they had saved the girl on the anniversary of their grandfather’s brother’s tragic drowning decades earlier. Walter reflected on this connection, stating it felt like a “godly, guardian angel kind of feeling.”