'They Sent Me A Guardian Angel': Teen Hero Rescues Paddleboarder Paralyzed At Sea

May 3, 2025

Today's good news story comes from Saunton Sands, England.

A heartwarming reunion recently took place in north Devon after a paddleboarder who was seriously injured met the teenage boy who saved his life.

Oscar and Gavin / Credit: Saunton Sands Surf Life Saving Club

On April 25 at Saunton Sands, 14-year-old Oscar sprang into action when he saw Gavin Bowden, 60, in distress after being struck on the head by his board in heavy surf. Despite his age, Oscar, a junior member of the Saunton Sands Surf Life Saving Club, performed a solo rescue that would earn him the title of a real-life hero.

Oscar managed to get Gavin onto his board, kept him afloat, and signaled to the shore—all while staying calm under pressure. He remained by Gavin's side for an incredible 30 minutes until help arrived.

Once Gavin was released from the hospital, he had the chance to meet Oscar and thank him in person. He embraced the teen and told him emotionally, "You're my little hero." He later told Oscar’s parents, “He’s a great kid, he saved my life.”

Gavin recalled the terrifying moments when he realized he couldn’t move his arms or legs.

“I was totally paralysed,” he said. “I called 'help, help, help' and the little kid—I didn’t know his name was Oscar—came over and said 'I’ve got you'."

Oscar’s training kicked in immediately.

“He started trying to reassure me, asking me my name and about my family and whether I was married, all the stuff he’s obviously been trained to do,” Gavin said. “They sent me a guardian angel that day.”

Oscar admitted he was nervous at first, saying, “I was quite scared at the beginning that I wouldn’t be able to lift him because he’s quite a big guy, but I just had the determination to help him.”

He described how he managed the rescue: “When I arrived Gavin was panicked and shaken. When he got his chest onto the board I went underneath him and just hauled him up, then went back around and grabbed him and pulled him up. Then I interlocked arms with him so I knew he wouldn’t go anywhere, I waved to my dad and started heading out.”

Neil Phillips, a coach at the club, praised the teen’s actions, calling it a "textbook rescue."

“Oscar talked to Gavin, he protected him, he got him up on his board, he kept giving him reassurance all the time,” Phillips said. “He wasn’t tempted to bring Gavin in through the break, which would have been a disaster with a neck injury. He was just amazing, absolutely fantastic.”

Watch the BBC Spotlight video of the reunion below: