Eagle Scout Receives Heroism Award for Life-Saving Response to E-Bike Crash
Abraham McKenney, a 16-year-old Eagle Scout from Nairobi, Kenya, has been awarded the Heroism Award by Scouting America for his courageous and skillful actions during a serious accident involving his grandfather, Paul McKenney, on July 7, 2025, in Maine. The Heroism Award honors Scouts who demonstrate heroism and skill in saving or attempting to save a life at more than minimal personal risk to themselves, a standard Abraham’s actions clearly met.
That afternoon, Abraham and his grandfather were riding e-bicycles on a narrow, winding, and often congested road. They were traveling at approximately 20–25 mph when they temporarily shifted onto a narrow side path to allow cars to pass. Paul struck a 10-inch-high curb he hadn’t seen and was launched from his e-bike into the middle of the road, sustaining multiple injuries.
Abraham, just 20 feet behind, witnessed the crash. “I immediately stopped my bike on the path, checked the street for cars, and ran to him,” he recalled. Knowing cars could appear suddenly around the blind curve, Abraham recognized the immediate danger and ran into the active roadway. He performed a Buddy Rescue Drag, pulling his grandfather out of the lane and onto the grass. “His head was bleeding an inch from his eye and his wrist appeared badly broken,” Abraham said.
Once Paul was safely off the road, Abraham placed him in the rescue position, retrieved his e-bike and belongings from the street, and used Paul’s phone to call his family and provide an exact location. A passing driver had already called 911. Abraham stayed by his grandfather’s side until emergency services arrived.
When Paul McKenney regained consciousness on the grass, he didn’t remember how he got there. “I saw Abraham on the phone looking at me with a worried expression,” he said. “Abraham’s immediate and decisive actions saved my life. His training in Scouting was indispensable in this emergency situation.”
Paul was transported to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with a dislocated left wrist, a crushed left wrist bone, a crushed right collarbone, a broken left leg bone, a sprained left ankle, a gash in his head, many lacerations and bruises, and a severe concussion. He underwent three surgeries and spent five days in critical care followed by ten days of orthopedic rehabilitation.
Aaron McKenney, Abraham’s uncle, arrived on the scene shortly after the ambulance. “Abraham was calmly off to the side of the road with both e-bikes,” he said. “ It was immediately apparent to me that Abraham had saved Paul from the danger of oncoming traffic.Through his quick thinking, and by staying cool, calm, and collected at a critical time, he undoubtedly saved his grandfather’s life. I am sure that all the training he learned in Scouting was critical to him taking decisive lifesaving action that day.”
Abraham began his Scouting journey in 2020 with Troop 130 in Geneva, Switzerland under the Transatlantic Council. He later earned the rank of Eagle Scout with Troop 60 in New Delhi, India (Far East Council), and now lives in Nairobi, Kenya, where he serves as a mentor and Order of the Arrow Representative with Troop 140.
Abraham credits his years of Scout training for giving him the confidence to act. “In Scouts, we constantly hear our motto, Be Prepared. I have used this motto throughout my scouting journey, but never truly understood its importance until I found myself acting by instinct, to help my grandfather. ,” he said. “ The first aid training I had received at troop meetings and campouts allowed me to immediately get him out of the road using the Shoulder Pull Carry, place him in the rescue position, and make sure an ambulance was called. Without what I learned in Scouts, things could have turned out very differently.”
Scouting welcomes all youth who wish to learn the same lifesaving skills and leadership qualities that helped Abraham act with courage and confidence. They may join at any time during the year and begin their own journey of adventure, service, and personal growth. To learn more, visit our Membership page.
