Boys reunite with rescuers who pulled them from swamp

HALIFAX, Mass. (WHDH) -- Two boys who had to be rescued from a frozen swamp last December got an up-close look at the helicopter search crews used to find them.

“I’m just glad we got this opportunity to meet them and say our thanks,” said Drew Coveney, who was rescued from the swamp.

Drew and Jake, both 12 years old, had to be rescued after getting lost in a Halifax swamp. The boys used their cell phone and called for help.

“Drew was wonderful, he was calm. It was like he had done it a million times before,” said Trooper Mark Costa of the Massachusetts state police. “We played a little game of hot and cold. He said you’re warmer, you’re colder, just move the ship in.”

They boys were found, but it was still a race against the clock -- the helicopter only had seven minutes of fuel remaining and the boys were cold and wet.

“We fell in. It was about waist deep in some areas and when we fell in the water our shoes got colder and colder,” said Drew.

“I’m basically just watching the clock tick and you don’t want ever to leave the scene ever, especially when you have kids, and that’s my call and I don’t like it,” said Trooper John Pina of the Massachusetts state police.

The helicopter crew guided the officers on the ground to Jake and Drew and eventually got them out of the woods.

“We’re glad we got the boys home safely to their parents,” said Major Anthony Thomas of the Massachusetts state police.

On Wednesday, the boys met the pilots whose voices they heard through the speaker of a cell phone and got to say thank you face-to-face.

“I think they did a very good job of keeping us calm and upbeat,” said Drew.

The troopers said it’s very rare that they get to meet anyone they rescue so they were as excited to meet the boys as the boys were to be there.