Gerard Butler near drowning reminded him of saving child

By Tribute News on October 26, 2012 | 2 Comments

Gerard Butler has revealed his near drowning experience brought back traumatic memories of rescuing a young child from a river. The actor - who admitted he thought he was "going to die" after a surfing stunt went wrong on the set of his new movie Chasing Mavericks during which he was engulfed by two enormous waves - said the accident reminded him of when he saved a child from drowning in Scotland 14 years ago. He told Kelly Ripa on Live With Kelly and Michael on Tuesday (23.10.12) that the uncontrollable heaving sounds that came from his body while he recovered were similar to those that erupted from the small boy he rescued from the River Tay in 1997. The 42-year-old star - who was briefly hospitalized after his accident - was handed a certificate of bravery by the Royal Humane Society of Scotland in 1997. But the 300 star brushed off his bravery and admitted he was so shocked by the incident that he struggled to carry the young victim back to his hotel. He said: "I tried to take him up hill but my legs were like jelly from the adrenalin and everybody's watching me and I couldn't make it up the hill."  Speaking previously about the rescue, he also played down his heroism. He said: "I didn't feel like a hero at all. I was initially gripped by fear and an empty feeling, thinking that the boy was dead."

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1. C-Dub • October 26, 2012 @ 11:55 AM

   Cool. And that was before he was really famous.

2. Rita • October 26, 2012 @ 7:31 PM

   Thats the Most Nobelest act you Can do for Anyone!! I Admire Greatly Anyone that does that. Thank You for saving that boy! I’m sure he was Grateful when he grew up, and could Live Life, the way it is, with the marvels of Creation and Creativity!!!

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