Boy who saved his friend to get Red Cross honor

A 14-year-old Papillion boy who saved his friend from drowning will be honored Tuesday by the American Red Cross.

Chris May will receive the Red Cross Certificate of Merit for his actions last year in rescuing Tin Ngo.

“It makes me feel proud of myself that I did something good,” Chris said.

Chris and his friends were celebrating the end of the school year at a pool party. Chris was jumping off the diving board when he saw Tin at the bottom of the 10-foot pool.

Chris thought Tin, 14, was trying to hold his breath under water. He dove into the pool, “pretending’’ to save him.

As Chris began carrying him to the surface, he realized something was wrong. He was carrying dead weight. Tin wasn’t playing a joke. Chris lay Tin down on the pool deck.

“We all just kind of sat there in shock for 10 seconds,” Chris said.

As 911 was called, Tin was foaming at the mouth.

Chris, a Boy Scout with a merit badge in basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation, began trying to revive him.

When the ambulance arrived, paramedics said that if Chris had not been there to help Tin, the situation could have turned out differently. Tin was hospitalized but recovered.

The Red Cross trains Boy Scouts to be certified in CPR and first aid. Chris was trained last year.

He will receive a Merit Award medal and lapel pin in addition to his certificate.

Chris, son of Roger and Julie May, will attend Papillion-La Vista South in the fall.

The 5:30 p.m. ceremony will be at the American Red Cross Heartland Chapter, 2912 S. 80th Ave., and preceded by a barbecue.

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