Mayor meets schoolboy after hearing of sea rescue heroics

Finley, a pupil at Dingle Community Primary School, was on holiday with his family when he saw another boy panicking in the sea at Hayle Beach, Cornwall.

He encouraged the boy to stay calm and float on his back like a starfish, a tip he  learned from the RNLI Stormforce Magazine.

Gutsy Finley, a keen swimmer and bodyboarder, then flagged down help from a nearby lifeguard, who was able to get the child to safety.

The Mayor of Dudley, Councillor Sue Greenaway, said: "It was wonderful to meet Finley, his quick-thinking and bravery helped to save the life of another child.

"Learning water skills is essential and I was pleased to hear how Finley and his friends will be taking advantage of the free-swimming offer that’s available for under 16s at some of the Dudley borough leisure centres during the school holidays."

Councillor Sue Greenaway, Mayor of Dudley, with Finley Hassall and his family. The Mayor was also joined by Councillor Shaz Saleem, cabinet member for public realm

Finley said of his visit to the Mayor's Parlour at Dudley Council House on Tuesday August 9: "I enjoyed meeting the Mayor of Dudley and talking to her about what happened in Cornwall.

"I’d read in my RNLI Stormforce Magazine about how to float like a starfish so that’s what I asked him to do. I said I’d done this at my swimming lessons before and it will be fine if he could float on his back."

Finley was also recently honoured by the The Royal National Lifeboat Institution for his bravery.

RNLI lifeguard Guy Potter, who was involved in the sucessful sea rescue, visited Finley's school to present a certificate of thanks and host a workshop for students on how to stay safe in the water.