A quick-thinking teen helped save the life of a woman who was drowning in the waters off Atlantic Beach.
Rebecca Tolan, a Rockville Centre resident who will soon be a senior at Sacred Heart Academy, was at the beach on June 25 when she noticed Mary Dowd, a seasoned swimmer also from Rockville Centre, being pulled out by a riptide towards a jetty.
Tolan, a rookie lifeguard, then “put her training and bravery to the test,” said Rockville Centre Mayor Francis Murray, and swam to Dowd. Tolan then signaled for another lifeguard before swimming Mary around the jetty to another beach.
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Tolan “showed true heroism during a treacherous situation,” Murray said on Monday. “I would like to acknowledge Rebecca’s selfless and courageous life saving act.”
The Village of Rockville Centre proclaimed July 15 to be “Rebecca Tolan Day.”Find out what's happening in Five Townswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
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