JEANERETTE - Although Kevin "Kip" Goulas and Matthew Switzer are being recognized for their heroic efforts in saving a young girl's life, the two men believe anyone faced with the identical situation would have responded the same way in a similar situation.

Goulas and Switzer were recognized at the Jeanerette Board of Aldermen meeting Monday night for saving the life of 12-year-old Kendra Thorn on Feb. 20 after the car she was riding in with her grandmother, Geraldine Feist, plunged into the Bayou Teche. Feist did not survive the accident.

More than 50 community members filled the council room to show their appreciation to the two Jeanerette heroes.

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"In a life-threatening situation, their immediate and unselfish response contributed to the saving of the life of young girl who was in immediate danger of drowning," said Mayor Arthur Verret.

When Goulas and Switzer heard the crash from their homes, they instantly went to the scene and responded to the young girls cry for help.

"I don't really believe it's heroic. I would hope that if my child or I was in the same situation, someone else would do the same for us," said Switzer.

Switzer said the young girl had managed to free herself from the car, but was still crying for help because she couldn't swim. Goulas grabbed two life jackets out of his nearby boat and immediately went out to help Switzer as he swam to the bayou's edge with the girl.

"I still have the vision of the young girl pounding on the window as she pleaded for help. I didn't think twice, it was just a human reaction " said Goulas. "It was a sad and tragic event and I'd like to think that any human being, given the situation, would do the same."

Even with Goulas and Switzer's successful efforts in saving the girls' life, both are still wishing the situation could have turned out in a happy ending for both the child and grandparent.

"I'm still feeling bad. I just wish that there was something that we could have done to save both of them," said Switzer.

The vehicle sank as soon as the car door was opened, according to Goulas.

"I wish we could have done more also, but we have to accept the fact that the car was already submerged by then and we just couldn't go back," said Goulas.

Unfortunately, the tragic event led to a seven-day hospital stay and a life-threatening situation for Goulas. After Goulas jumped into the bayou to offer his help, he cut his foot and came into contact with a rare bacteria - aeromonas hydrophila - which often results in death within 72 hours.

"I was fortunate to survive. The doctors said only a few people who come into contact with the bacteria survive," said Goulas.

The ordeal is still not over for Goulas. Doctors are predicting it will be at least another three months before he will be able to walk on the foot and he will probably continue to receive hospital wound care treatments for an additional three months.