Chula Vista Teen Among Those Honored by Hero Commission

A Chula Vista teen-ager who saved a panicky 12-year-old from drowning in the Pacific Ocean was among seven Californians pronounced heroes Sunday by the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission.

A total of 15 Americans and Canadians were awarded $2,500 and a medal each by the Pittsburgh commission, founded by industrialist Andrew Carnegie in 1904. Two died while performing their heroic deeds.

“It was just something I did. It didn’t seem like anything heroic at the time. I just had to do it,” said Timothy J. Costello, 18, of Chula Vista, who swam 300 feet past the breakwater at a Coronado beach to save the youth June 19, 1987.

Costello, who was 16 at the time, was sitting on the beach with his girlfriend when he heard cries for help. A youngster in the water told Costello that a friend who couldn’t swim needed help.

Costello swam past the waves, where he found the hysterical 12-year-old, whom he held in the water until a lifeguard arrived.

“The main thing I did was just calm him down,” said Costello. “The little boy was screaming and saying he was going to throw up. He was struggling and kicking and hitting me. He was very afraid.”

The commission has honored 7,274 people, including 93 this year.

Other Californians honored Sunday by the commission are:

* Tommy James Russell, 18, of San Diego, who saved a 36-year-old man from his burning car after an accident in National City on July 24, 1987.

* Michael N. Knieriem, 46, of Thousand Oaks, who rescued a 6-year-old girl and a 4-year-old boy from their burning condominium in Newbury Park on Oct. 2, 1987. Knieriem suffered severe smoke inhalation.

* Philip Contreras, 26, of Huntington Beach, who saved a 59-year-old man from his burning car after an accident in Compton on Aug. 27, 1987.

* Grant P. Clemens, 32, of Oxnard and Kenneth R. Vandergrift, 40, of Santa Paula, who saved a 59-year-old man from his burning car after an accident in Saticoy on Dec. 9, 1987. Both men suffered burns.

* Adam Michael Calderon, 17, of Lake Elsinore, who saved a 59-year-old woman from an attacking Doberman pinscher Feb. 2. Calderon suffered bites.