Seattle paddleboarder wins Carnegie Medal for 2021 Green Lake rescue

Four times a year, the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission recognizes outstanding acts of selfless heroism in the U.S. and Canada. This year, Seattleite Benjamin Ramsay, who helped save the life of drowning teen in 2021, became one of the latest recipients.

The Carnegie Hero Fund announced their final awards for 2023, and on the list was Ramsay. The foundation awarded Ramsay and 17 others for “acts of extraordinary heroism, [that] risked serious injury or death to save others,” a statement from the organization reads.

On April 21, 2021, a teenage boy was swimming at Green Lake when he submerged and did not resurface. According to a spokesperson from the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission, the teen was about 80 feet from shore at the time. The teen’s friend shouted for help, and a paddleboarder nearby heard his cry.

The paddleboarder was 24-year-old tutor Ramsay.

“Despite no visibility beneath the water’s surface, and Ramsay’s poor swimming ability, upon seeing bubbles rising to the surface, Ramsay dove 15 feet to the bottom where he located the boy and grasped his arm,” according to the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission's statement.

It continued, “when Ramsay successfully pulled the boy to the surface, his paddleboard was no longer within reach. Ramsay positioned the unresponsive boy against his chest and backstroked toward shore.”

Ramsay was tiring quickly, the statement added, and he struggled to keep both of their heads above water. Another nearby paddleboarder responded to Ramsay and the unconscious teen at a point halfway to shore. With her help, Ramsay grasped onto the board with one arm while still holding the boy.

The woman leaned across her paddleboard and kicked until she reached shallow water while holding onto both Ramsay and the boy.

“The boy expelled water during efforts to revive him and recovered after treatment at a hospital. Ramsay was cold and fatigued, but he did not require medical attention,” according to the statement.

Ramsay will receive a 3-inch bronze medallion that includes his name and details about his extraordinary act. He will also be given a $7,500 grant.

The Carnegie Hero Fund Commission was established in 1904, by Andrew Carnegie, “to recognize outstanding acts of selfless heroism performed in the United States and Canada."

Thus far, 184 people from Washington state have been awarded the Carnegie Medal, starting with Minnie L. Meyers who received the medal in 1908. Nineteen people from Seattle have received the award.

Before Benjamin Ramsay, John R. Wells, Jr., was the last person from Seattle to receive the Carnegie Medal. He rescued two young children from a burning home in 1993.