Aden Perry died while trying to rescue Venkata Sai Krishnamurthy after he accidentally crashed his car into a canal in Sunrise.
By Bryan Boggiano
The City of Coral Springs and the Aden Perry Good Samaritan and Scholarship Fund announced a partnership Wednesday to install more than 70 water safety rescue rings along waterways in city parks.
A kickoff ceremony will take place a Cypress Park, located at 1301 Coral Springs Drive, on Saturday, Feb. 25, starting at 9 a.m.
The organization’s name and efforts honor Aden Perry, a 17-year-old high school student who tried to rescue a driver, 18-year-old Venkata Sai Krishnamurthy after he accidentally crashed his car into a canal in Sunrise.
At the time of the crash, Aden was walking with his mom and dog in their neighborhood. When he saw the car crash, he immediately jumped in the water to try to help.
Both Aden and Krishnamurthy lost their lives. Aden’s mother, Sarah Perry, started the foundation in his honor to reduce drowning fatalities. In each of their honors, their families established individual scholarship programs.
Aden’s rescue efforts also received national recognition. He was recently the recipient of the Carnegie Hero Fund Medal, North America’s highest honor for civilian heroism, according to a press release.
Since the tragedy, Sarah devoted her life to increasing the number of rescue rings available near bodies of water, according to city documents.
Aden’s mother, Sarah Perry, and the City of Coral Springs commission. {City of Coral Springs}
“If I had to find good in this tragedy, it would be that he’s a hero,” Sarah said. “He had so much passion for life, and now I’m living his legacy.”
At Wednesday’s meeting, Sarah spoke about the rings with the commission and City Manager, Frank Babinec.
The rescue rings will be attached to a rope and are meant to be used by anyone whenever a water rescue is necessary. Most of them will have a picture of Aden with a message that says, “A hero is a person of distinguished courage and ability, admired for their brave deeds and noble qualities despite overwhelming obstacles.”
In his remarks, Babinec commended Sarah for her strength and for turning her pain into purpose.
He said installing the rescue rings will be the latest way the city aims to make parks safer for residents, following the commission’s approval of Stop The Bleed kits and AEDs in January.
“If the rescue rings help just one person, then it is worth doing,” Babenic said.
Send Your News to Coral Springs #1 Award-Winning News Site Here. Don’t miss reading Parkland Talk, Tamarac Talk, Coconut Creek Talk, and Margate Talk.
