Kadena Middle School librarian saves drowning teen
OKINAWA, Japan — A Kadena Middle School librarian is being recognized for an act of bravery after rescuing a Japanese teenager from rough waters near Sunabe Seawall.
Michael Cottrell was walking his dog along the seawall when he noticed a teen onshore appearing distressed during heavy surf conditions. Moments later, he realized another teenager was in the water and unable to reach the steps leading to safety.
By the time Cottrell reached the area near the pier, the teen was bleeding heavily and clinging to the base of a concrete barrier while struggling against strong currents.
Without hesitation, Cottrell climbed over the barrier, made his way down the tetrapods and pulled the teen from the water.
“He was exhausted from trying to fight the current,” Cottrell said. “He had cuts all over him from being thrown into the reef, the pier and the stone tetrapods.”
Cottrell then helped the teen climb back to safety and asked a bystander to call for an ambulance. He remained with the injured teen until emergency responders arrived and the young man appeared stable.
In an email following the rescue, Pacific South Superintendent Melissa Hayes praised Cottrell's actions.
“Someone informed me that you put yourself aside and saved a teenager from drowning yesterday in Sunabe,” Hayes wrote. “Thank you so much for doing what many others might not have done.”
Cottrell said events unfolded so quickly that he had little time to think beyond helping someone in danger.
“I'll be honest, everything happened very fast,” he said.
His actions likely saved the teen’s life. Faced with a life-threatening situation, Cottrell put his own safety aside to help a young person he had never met, demonstrating courage, selflessness and a commitment to helping others beyond his role as an educator.
