Man who nearly drowned as child overcomes fear of water to complete triathlon
Connor Scott, 27, was aged just seven when he was pulled from the River Tonge by fire crews, who spent five minutes resuscitating him before he showed any signs of life.
In a Bolton News article from 2005 – headlined “Super boy!” – doctors said they were amazed at his recovery, which was described as a miracle.
Connor, from Tonge Moor, who works in the AI industry, said that the experience is still fresh in his mind today.
He said: “I remember being scared and panicking.
“I remember when I went in and went under the water – seeing some bubbles – and then waking up in hospital.”
The terrifying ordeal left Connor with a lifelong fear of water – but last year he decided to overcome that fear after watching his friends compete in the Abersoch triathlon.
He wanted to compete as well, but first had to learn how to swim.
Connor said: “At first I went swimming with one of my friends and I couldn’t put my head under because it was still scary.
“I realised I was really in need of swimming lessons.”
He said that learning to swim at 26 was “a humbling experience” – but he was determined to do it.
Connor Scott almost died when he fell into the Tonge River as a child (Image: Connor Scott) Connor said: “I didn’t know anyone else who couldn’t swim – I couldn’t do half a length I was very scared.
“I knew that I could run and cycle – but if you run and you stop – you’re not going to die.”
Getting all those up to triathlon level, though, was another challenge – and he credits his friends for helping him get there,
Connor said: “I definitely wouldn’t have even signed up without my mates.
“They made me do some form of exercise every single day, made sure I had all the correct gear and made sure all my gear was safe.
“I had to buy a bike – I didn’t even own a bike!”
As the day of the race grew closer, it felt more and more real for Connor – and the size of the challenge started to sink in.
He said: “It was two days before and I actually passed out – I thought of dropping out of it and had to book a day off work to just get ready.
“All the night before I couldn’t sleep – I was terrified.
“I don’t know if it was luck, or just having my mates there, but when I woke up on the day I was very confident.”
Connor (second from right) credits his mates with helping him keep up training (Image: Connor Scott) Anxiety started to creep back in once Connor started setting up to prepare for the race – but he was determined to do it.
The first leg would be the biggest challenge – the 1,500 metre swim.
Connor said: “I was really lucky on that day with the weather – the sea was completely flat.
“I was confident when I saw that it was flat.
“I was absolutely certain I would come last – but I wasn’t sure I would even finish the swim.”
He was cheered on by a steward on a kayak as he swam back towards shore and managed to complete the swim.
Connor said: “When I got out of the water there were over 100 people there cheering for me – I didn’t expect so many people there – it was overwhelming!”
Like he predicted, he came last in the swim but there was still the bike and run to make up time.
Connor said: “I didn’t wear my watch because I thought I would be very disappointed at the time and just thought I would do my best.
“I really wanted to do well in the bike and the run because I came last in the swim.”
However, during the 40km bike race he realised he had an issue with his brakes being stuck – making it difficult to pick up speed.
He said: “Knowing I could do nothing about it was so demoralising.
“But I should have been more positive on the bike – because it was so difficult.”
One of the challenges on the bike race was a three-kilometre uphill cycle that Connor called “ridiculous”.
He said: “Even driving up that hill – my car struggled!”
Connor said the support was ‘overwhelming’ (Image: Connor Scott) Finishing the first lap, the brake issue was demoralising and Connor briefly thought about quitting.
He said: “It was so demoralising and it was on my mind that I would just quit.
“But as I went past, all of my mates’ partners were screaming and cheering, so I went and did another lap.”
Finally, the end was in sight, with the final leg of the race being a 10km run.
Connor said: “It started raining which was so refreshing – my legs were so cramped. I could go up the hill but I couldn’t run down because they were so stiff.
“When I got to the finish line, I was exhausted.
“At the time I thought I had been disqualified for taking too long – but then my time came back…
“It was three hours and 50 minutes – I was really happy!”
Connor crossed the finish line in under four hours (Image: Connor Scott) Have a story? Get in touch at eoin.mccaul@newsquest.co.uk
He said that he and his mates just stayed on the beach after the race was over to take in the moment.
Connor said: “It turns out my friend’s partner told a lot of people my story and they came up to me to say well done!
“Our plan was to have a party if I finished it, but we were all so exhausted we just had a pizza and went to bed.
“I would say swimming is my favourite sport now, but I’m still scared of being in the sea and still scared of not touching the floor.
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“I loved it and I’m going to sign up for next year’s.
“I know now not to be afraid of the swim now, so I’m hoping to improve my skills on the bike and running too.
“I’d like to come first one day – that will take a few years first!”
Source – INDIA TV
