Bob and lifeguards (l to r) Brian Murphy of Evans,
Chris Van Volkenburg of Angola and Laura Zailac
of Derby.

On Sunday, July 23, Bennett Beach lifeguard Brian Murphy noted emergency flare signals on the Lake Erie horizon and took immediate response actions, thereby saving the lives of 7 Southtowns residents whose boat had capsized. In recognition of his heroism, Erie County Legislator Robert Reynolds (D-12) will honor Murphy and his co-workers, Laura Zailac of Derby and Chris Van Volkenburg of Angola, at a special ceremony Tuesday, August 1 at 7 p.m. at Bennett Beach.

Bob and Brian Murphy along with one of the rescued
boaters.

"When I heard the details of the boating accident and the selfless way in which Brian, Laura and Chris responded, saving the lives of the people who were stranded in the Lake Erie waters, I felt that it was important to recognize their work," Reynolds stated. "Not only am I proud of these young people's actions as employees of Erie County, but also as outstanding representatives of the young adults living in our community. They are each a credit to their families and to their communities."

Murphy, 19, has served as a Bennett Beach lifeguard for four years. On the Sunday of the rescue he was just finishing up his lifeguard shift when he recognized flare signals on the horizon. Immediately, he gave his cell phone to fellow lifeguard Zailac, instructing her to call 911, and proceeded to kayak out to the flare site.

The intense physical demand of the paddling was equaled by what Murphy found upon reaching the emergency site. "The lake was choppy---about 2 foot waves---so it took me a while to get out there and it was exhausting," Murhpy recalled. "When I finally got close, I could see that a boat had overturned and there were 7 people floating around it. It was at that point that my common sense took over."

Murphy's cool, calm demeanor led him to place the youngest of those stranded, a 6-year old girl, into his kayak and transport her back to shore. "She was obviously scared and cold and showing initial signs of hypothermia," Murphy explained. "So I decided that the best thing to do was to get her warm and dry. But before I kayaked back to shore, I checked to be sure that the adults who were still in the water were ok, and I assured them that help was on the way."

Within moments, the Lake Erie Beach Rescue Unit comprised of Officers Douglas Czora and Michael Masullo and Coast Guard Unit B headed by Boarding Officer Brian Swope responded to lifeguard Zailac's 911 call and rescued the remaining six people, returning them all safely to shore. Their rescue was a relief to Marge White, mother of one of the capsize victims. "Some of the people on the boat were relatives and over the last few years they have lost a number of family members in some very tragic circumstances, " White stated. "So our family is grateful for Brian's quick thinking and all of the lifeguards actions that prevented what could have been yet another terrible tragedy for our family."

It is estimated by Evans Town Police that it has been 20 years since a rescue of this scope has been undertaken in the lake waters off the town shoreline. Murphy was aided in the rescue by Erie County Lifeguard Chris Van Valkenburg.

About the Lifeguards:

Brian Murphy is the middle of five children of Patrick and Karen Murphy of Angola. He is an employee of the Boilermakers Union and a part time student at Erie Community College where he is studying Emergency Room Nursing. Murphy has earned the rank of Eagle Scout and is also a volunteer Soccer Coach for the Town of Evans.

Laura Zailac is a 19 year old sophomore at Syracuse University studying fashion design. She is the elder of two children of Kathleen and Steve Zailac. She has been employed by the county as a life guard for 3 years.

Chris Van Volkenburg is a 17 year old senior at Lakeshore High School. He is the eldest of two children of Ken and Audrey Van Volkenburg.

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