'True hero!' Boy, 6, rescued by RAC patrol after getting head stuck in fence railing

John Walshe freed Isaac in a matter of minutes

RAC
James Saunders

By James Saunders


Published: 29/08/2024

- 21:21

Updated: 30/08/2024

- 15:20

Bystanders had tried and failed to free the young boy from the fence - with one even calling the fire brigade

A six-year-old boy has hailed his rescuer as a "true hero" for freeing him from a set of metal railings at a park.

Isaac, six, had been enjoying his summer holidays at the People's Park, in Dún Laoghaire, just south of Dublin, when calamity struck.


He was playing with friends at the 19th-century open space when his head became trapped between some metal fence railings.

Bystanders had tried and failed to free the young boy from the fence - with one even calling the fire brigade.

The People's Park

The boy was freed after becoming stuck at the People's Park in Dún Laoghaire

Google

But in a stroke of fortune, a passing RAC patroller, John Walshe, arrived at the scene to step in and solve the crisis.

After spotting the six-year-old struggling in the railings, Walshe - who covers Dublin and the surrounding areas - launched into action.

The RAC man used his jack to widen the fence - and freed Isaac in a matter of minutes.

Isaac's mother, Vicky, recounted the experience after her son was left in "much brighter spirits".

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John Walshe and Isaac Jago KohlsJohn Walshe freed Isaac in a matter of minutesRAC

She said: "We couldn't be more grateful to John, who is now classed as a true hero by Isaac and his relieved friends and family.

"I'm sure John wasn't expecting to use his recovery expertise to help a six-year-old boy last week!

"We were overwhelmed with the support from the local community and kind passers-by who stopped to help, including the cafe owner and the kind woman who rang the fire brigade on our behalf.

"Most importantly, it's sheer luck that John was passing and stopped out of the kindness of his heart, freeing Isaac within minutes."

RAC van

Isaac's mother expressed her gratitude for the lucky RAC run-in

RAC

Walshe said: "I was driving along the main road in Dún Laoghaire when I saw poor Isaac in floods of tears, distressed because his head was stuck.

"After stopping to make sure he was okay, I widened the railings using the jack, which very quickly released him.

"The fire brigade arrived just after me and gave Isaac the all-clear.

"When I left, he was in much brighter spirits and was sure enjoying an ice cream cone!"

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