Delaware man who drowned after helping save teen at Sandbridge in 2015 recognized with Carnegie Medal

A Delaware man who drowned at Sandbridge last year while trying to save his partner’s son has been recognized by the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission.

Michael Manley Sr. of Wilmington, Del., died on Sunday, Sept. 27, according to the commission. He was 43.

Media in Delaware reported last year that Manley was in town for a wedding when the trip took a tragic turn.

Manley went into the water to rescue 17-year-old Andrew Short, his partner’s son, who was struggling in the water, according to a summary by the commission and details provided by authorities last year.

Short was caught by a current that took him away from shore, according to the summary. Manley entered the water, calmed Short down and gave him instructions on how to return to the shore.

Short “followed his directions and safely returned to the beach, where he collapsed,” according to the commission. “Manley, however, began to struggle in the water.”

Virginia Beach Batallion Chief Bill Skelaney said in October that rescue efforts to help Manley involved fire, emergency medical services, volunteer rescue officials, and police — about 30 rescuers, in all. 

Firefighters initially made it to Manley but could not hold to him in the strong current, according to Skelaney and media reports at the time. Manley washed ashore shortly thereafter, according to the commission summary.

Manley was among 25 people named as awardees by the commission on Wednesday, Sept. 28, and he was one of three people who died in the course of helping others. Recipients or their families receive Carnegie Medals and a financial grant.

The fund was established in 1904 by Andrew Carnegie, and it has provided $38.5 million over the years. It is based in Pittsburgh. Information on the fund is available at carnegiehero.org.

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