ANTRIM COUNTY — It was the matter of being at the right place, at the right time after a Northern Michigan man rescued some kids, including one that was unconscious.
It happened Monday at Elk Rapids Day Park on East Grand Traverse Bay in Antrim County.
The good Samaritan from Williamsburg said he’s still shaken up Tuesday after a close call, filled with tense moments.
“I wasn’t sure that he was alive, he was very ashen, purple lips, eyes were open but rolled back in his head. A couple minutes later, I don’t, I’m not sure how that would have gone,” said Pat Looney.
Looney said he, his wife, and oldest daughter were headed out to the beach when they heard screams for help.
“So, I just dropped all my stuff on the trail and took off to the beach and got down to the beach and kind of scanned the area and saw three heads out in the water and got out in the water,” said Looney.
He said a girl was able to get back to shore on her own, but a boy was struggling to stay above the surface and another was already unconscious.
“I told the little boy to get to shore and he’s like, ‘I can’t’. He was kind of going in and out. So, I scooped him up and he was like, hold on to my arm. And I went and grabbed the other kid and pulled him up. And he was not responsive.
Looney said he hit the kid on the back, and he coughed up water but was still unresponsive.
He dragged both back to shore, handing one off to his eldest daughter and he handed the unconscious kid back to his family.
“They got them on shore and rolled them on the side and hit them on the back. And they coughed up a bunch of water and he sat up,” said Looney.
That’s when first responders showed up and took over.
Looney said his phone has been blowing up ever since, but he doesn’t consider himself a hero, he did what he hoped anyone would do in his place.
“It’s a small town up here. I would hope someone would do the same for my kids. We all grew up on the lake, or kids are all in the lake every day. And so, you know, it’s one of those things that just, I don’t know, just got to get in there and help out if you can,” said Looney
He said he feels he was meant to be there.
Elk Rapids Day Park isn’t their usual beach but at last minute they decided to go there because his youngest daughter was babysitting nearby,” said Looney.
“I don’t usually believe in a lot of stuff like that, but like I said, right place, right time for a reason. I’m glad I went to that beach that day for sure,” said Looney.
He said the boy’s family has reached out to them to thank them over social media.
“They stayed the night in the hospital, but everything checked out. And he’s going to be okay. And they’re going home today, so we’ll take it,” said Looney.
He also said this isn’t the first time he’s saved a life.
“I gave someone Heimlich once. My wife’s uncle was choking on a brat, and I popped that brat right out of there. Broke three of his ribs, but so probably not the best move but he’s breathing, and it was fine,” said Looney.