Local Martial Arts Students Save Lives

Local business USA Karate Coventry has had two of its students save lives recently. Sean Lambert, a 10-year-old karate student saved his own father’s life and Jacob Iacobucci, also 10, and a jiu jitsu student at the school, saved the life of a six-year-old who was drowning.

Sean’s father, Brad, told USA Karate owner Shihan Angelo Oliveira with tears in his eyes, “If it weren’t for my son Sean, I would not be here to tell this story: On our way home from vacation two weekends ago, the gas tank in our truck began falling out. We stopped at a restaurant in Connecticut to eat and when I finished I went out to fix the truck while my wife and kids were inside finishing their meals. Sean for some reason came out early to check on me—and a few minutes after he started walking out of the restaurant, the jack gave way and the truck came down, pinning me under it. I was barely able to call out but somehow Sean heard me and figured out what had happened. Without hesitating or panicking, he immediately lifted up on the truck enough so I was able to get out from under it. He will forever be my hero.”

"I was emotional afterwards," said Brad on Monday. "Even right now talking about it I am. If Sean didn't come out when he did I don't think I'd be here right now. I'll never forget it."

Oliveira explained that Sean is a quiet kid whose determination has kept him progressing through belt ranks (currently purple with stripe) and also led him to compete in USA Karate tournaments. "With his inspirational actions this past weekend he amply demonstrated some true black belt qualities," said Oliveira.

This past Monday, Jacob Iacobucci of West Greenwich, who recently began studying at the school, was swimming in a campground pool in Connecticut when a six-year-old decided to brave the pool's "big slide" - which landed in the 9-foot-deep end of the pool. Jacob’s mother, Rhonda, explained that after coming off the slide the child “became overwhelmed and began to yell out for help."

Jacob immediately swam to the child, calmly telling him that he was “going to help him” and  “get on my back and I’ll swim you to the side”.

"Jacob reacted so quickly, even before the adults at the pool had a chance to do anything," said Rhonda. "It is unbelievable to me that he was so calm and the most impressive thing was that he just saw someone who needed help and he didn't event think about it. As his mother, the big thing for me was seeing him know right away that someone needed help."

"Jacob recognizes that what he did was very important and he's happy about it," Rhonda continued. "We keep reminding him that although one of the adults in the pool would have helped the boy once they saw him struggling, Jacob's actions definitely made him much less scared."

"At USA Karate we teach character development and work on both inner and outer strength," said Oliveira. "We believe that the type of martial arts training we offer for kids - to respond quickly to physical situations, act to protect themselves and others, and work through fear and stress, made a difference and helped influence these auspicious actions."

"Two kids saving two lives in one weekend? A martial arts school owner could get no better news," continued Oliveira. "We are incredibly proud of Sean and Jacob and would love to share their amazing stories."