Lee Heyes, now a plasterer and singer-songwriter performing under the name "soundstruggles," recounts a harrowing experience from his youth when he rescued a teenager from drowning in Eccleston Delph. The incident, which occurred in the mid-1990s when Heyes was 15, involved a deep dive into water he described as containing "all sorts," including submerged cars.
After multiple attempts, Heyes managed to reach the teenager, who was significantly larger than him. He described the struggle to bring the boy to the surface. Friends assisted by keeping the teenager's head above water while Heyes sought further help from a man in a nearby dinghy. Despite feeling exhausted, adrenaline propelled Heyes to raise the alarm, and the man in the dinghy ultimately transported the teenager ashore.
The rescued teenager, who Heyes remembers as being about 5ft 10in with blond hair, wearing a Liverpool FC shirt and accompanied by two girls, reportedly left the scene without speaking, which Heyes attributed to shock.
Heyes acknowledges the potential for a far worse outcome, stating, "I could easily have died myself that day." The experience has had a lasting impact, with Heyes believing it triggered anxiety. He now warns others against swimming in open water, emphasizing its inherent dangers.
To process the trauma, Heyes has written a song titled "Aqualung," inspired by the ordeal. He described it as "a long time to carry that burden." He is currently performing as part of Chorley Live, an event featuring numerous performances across local venues.
Heyes expressed a strong desire to know the well-being of the teenager he saved and has issued an appeal for the rescued individual or one of the girls who were with him to make contact.