Newtown Man Receives Carnegie Medal For Heroic Beach Rescue

NEWTOWN, PA — A Newtown man received a Carnegie Medal this week for a heroic water rescue at the Jersey Shore last year. Kristian Falkenstein, 40, received the medal Tuesday.

In September 2017, Falkenstein, a university development officer, was enjoying a day on the beach in Belmar, N.J. when he saved a 32-year-old man from drowning. After seeing the man getting swept out to sea, Falkenstein immediately swam out to save him. When Falkenstein reached him, he was barely above water.

“Kristian Falkenstein is nothing short of a hero,” Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick Fitzpatrick said in statement announcing the award. “His valiant actions saved a life that day. I applaud Kristian for his bravery and willingness to take on significant risk in assistance of a fellow citizen.”

Despite the waves and strong rip current, Falkenstein kept the man afloat for several minutes until two lifeguards and a responding police officer were able to swim out to them with flotation devices to assist until the Coast Guard arrived on the scene.

Falkenstein and the victim were taken to a hospital. The man was not injured, but Falkenstein was treated for effects of near-drowning. He has since recovered.

In June, Rep. Fitzpatrick recognized Falkenstein on the House floor. See the video here.

Following the rescue, Applebee's restaurants also stepped up to honor Falkenstein. Doherty Enterprises, the owner and operator of 40 Applebee's restaurants in New Jersey, gave Kristian Falkenstein free meals for a year.

The Carnegie Medal is given throughout the United States and Canada to those who risk their lives to an extraordinary degree while saving or attempting to save the lives of others.

The Carnegie Hero Fund Commission announced Kristian Falkenstein, alongside 19 others in their June hero class. Commission Chair Mark Laskow said each of the awardees or their survivors will also receive a financial grant.

Contributed image, Rep. Fitzpatrick's office