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Boys who helped rescue swimmer at Walden Pond honored with award

CONCORD, Mass. — The two young boys who helped rescue a swimmer in distress on Walden Pond last month were recognized for their brave actions with a special award.

Fire and Coast Guard officials decided to recognize 11-year-old Bodie Thompson and 8-year-old German Tsakhaev with a private fire house tour, as well as an award.

"My mom said, like, not to brag about it too much," said Tsakhaev.

The two boys had just met at Walden Pond while out playing with a kayak and a paddle board, and they noticed a man's head bobbing in and out of the water.

"I almost thought he was faking and was a kidnapper, but I realized that so many people were around, it couldn't really work," said Thompson.

Fire officials said the swimmer was suffering from a leg cramp at the time, but had nobody there to bring him to shore quickly. They said that he could have easily drowned.

In a split-second decision as the pond was being cleared for the rescue, the boys decided they were close enough to help. Much to Thompson's mother's surprise, the boys paddled toward the man.

"I was waving at him to get out of the pond, and he's just taking his sweet time," said Shenaz Thompson, Bodie's mother.

Fire crews say this time was an exception, giving the boys a pass for disobeying their mother.

"Tragedy averted," said Concord Fire Chief Tom Judge. "These two guys, they made a courageous decision. Sometimes, the easy thing to do is do nothing, and these two jumped into action and saved that guy's life."

The boys let the swimmer grab onto the paddleboard and tugged him to the shore. Their act of bravery led them to the award from the Concord Fire Department and the United States Coast Guard.

"I saved someone, it was awesome!" said Thompson.

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