FREEHOLD – A resident of Freehold Borough has been recognized for saving a child’s life.
During a recent meeting, members of the Borough Council honored Ty Buckley, 20, who rescued a 10-year-old boy from a riptide.
The incident took place in July while Buckley and his family were on vacation in Ocean City, Cape May County, according to a resolution.
While at the beach, Buckley noticed a boy bobbing up and down in the water, according to the resolution. Buckley, who worked as a lifeguard at Cranberry Lake Community Club, Byram Township, dove into the surf, swam to the child and brought him to the shore before lifeguards cleared the water.
The council’s resolution states that Buckley’s quick response saved the boy, who was shaken up, but did not require cardiopulmonary resuscitation or medical treatment.
Following the incident, Buckley was congratulated and thanked by the Ocean City lifeguards.
“The mayor and council of Freehold Borough honor Ty Buckley on his heroic deed and quick thinking,” officials said in the resolution.
“It was really an honor to be a part of such a great town,” Buckley said. “I wasn’t looking for all of this acknowledgement from the great residents of Freehold and it was a very humbling experience for me. I appreciate all of the outpouring of gratitude from everybody.”
Buckley is a lifelong borough resident. He attended the Freehold Learning Center elementary school and the Freehold Intermediate School. He graduated from St. John Vianney High School, Holmdel, in 2017 and currently attends West Virginia University.