Town Lauds Three Mahopac Heros

Eric Gross Councilman Anthony Di Carlo congratulates David Colombo for his heroics as Supervisor Kenneth Schmitt offers applause. While Putnam County has experienced a number of tragedies this summer involving teenagers, three young men from Mahopac have hopefully turned the tide.

The trio—Michael Gilmore, 17, a senior at Mahopac High School, David Colombo, who turns 20 today (Thursday) and hopes to enlist in the Coast Guard this fall, and Vito Iacobellis— were recognized by the Carmel Town Board last week for their heroics that saved two lives.

Each of the young men was presented with the town’s medal of valor and certificate of achievement during the board’s regular meeting as well as receiving kudos and congratulations from members of the board, including Supervisor Kenneth Schmitt and Council members Robert Ravallo, Carmine Di Battista, Anthony Di Carlo, and Richard O’Keefe.

Eric Gross Mahopac High School senior Michael Gilmore displays his certificate of achievement. Gilmore’s recognition stemmed from an incident that occurred on July 31 at Splash Down in Fishkill during a Carmel Recreation Department summer camp outing.

Supervisor Schmitt told an audience of some two dozen residents that a seven-year-old camper had entered a wading pool and within minutes became submerged: “Had it not been for Michael springing into action, the child would have drowned. Mike, who became certified as a lifeguard 60 days before the incident, knew what had to be done, and thank God he did. He entered the water and pulled the boy out. The child was given two rescue breaths and was resuscitated. He was stabilized and was taken to Vassar Brothers Hospital in Poughkeepsie, where he was treated and later released. The little boy is now doing very, very, well.”

Following the presentation, Gilmore told the Courier, “my adrenalin kicked in. After getting the boy out of the water and resuscitating him, the reality hit. I was happy to be of assistance. What makes this so special is that the little boy is Okay today.”

The following day David and Vito went into action while driving along Wixon Pond Road in Mahopac.

Councilman Di Carlo happened to be driving behind the heroes’ car when a motorcyclist went out of control on a curve. Di Carlo told the audience, “In a matter of seconds, the surreal setting unfolded when the cyclist was ejected from his bike. The two boys jumped from their car, pulled the motorcycle off the man, and after checking on his condition called 911. Police and EMS arrived minutes later and the victim was taken to the hospital.”

Di Carlo, who also assisted at the scene, said the incident posed an important lesson: “Young drivers are taught never to tailgate. These two young men were at the right place at the right time. Had they been following the cycle too closely, the result would have been a complete and total nightmare. It’s critical that all drivers give themselves proper distance behind the vehicle in front of them.”

Di Carlo called the heroes, “calm, cool, and collected.”

Colombo said he and his buddy “had to stop to help. The guy was hurting, and was bloody and banged up.”

Colombo said the retired Yonkers Police officer told the heroes that he was carrying a loaded handgun, which the boys retrieved and turned over to Carmel cops.

Colombo called it a “great feeling to be recognized for doing something positive. The area has experienced so many tragedies in recent weeks. It’s nice that the Town Board took the time to honor all three of us tonight.”

Councilman Di Carlo also heralded the Carmel cops at the scene—Lt. Brian Karst, Sgt. Gary Johanson, Officer Laura Smith, Officer James Terrazas, Officer Stephen Kunze, and Officer Richard Rosario for their professionalism.