The New York Daily News has identified the mystery mer-man who saved 37-year-old Brian Jordan from drowning in the waters off Coney Island last week.

Kevin Campion, a 30-year-old ship’s captain from Seattle, was hailed as a hero after he rushed to the aid of Jordan on May 17. Jordan, who was trying to retrieve his speedboat, which had come untied from a Coney Island pier, was pulled underwater by the rough waves and dragged down for about two minutes before Campion appeared from nowhere and carried the Brooklyn man 100 yards to shore.

Jordan’s guardian angel was captured in a snapshot taken by a passerby after he pulled him to shore, but much like a real-life superhero, Campion vanished before anyone could get his name or even thank him. All Brian Jordan knew about his savior was that he’s a surfer with a sea-themed tattoo on his right arm and a courageous heart.

The mystery hero was finally identified when a relative recognized him immediately on the cover of The News and contacted the paper. “He’s a great guy and it’s an amazing thing he did and actually I’m not surprised that he would do it,” said Kenn Christianson, the brother of Campion’s stepmother, Sonya Campion. “He’s just not sure he wants the attention to be on him.”

Campion was brought up in Washington State and is a professional sailing captain and biologist. He sailed a schooner in the Caribbean, studied poisonous frogs in Central America and has surfed around the globe. Campion, who is single, was sailing from Florida to Maine when he stopped in New York.

This is also not the first time he has saved someone’s life. Acccording to his stepmother’s sister, Lisa Clark, “he’s done this a couple of times before. He’s always been around boats and surfing, so he has experience.”

Jordan, who was resuscitated by emergency medical technicians and treated overnight at Lutheran Medical Center after his ordeal, had hoped to thank his savior in person but said Saturday he could understand Campion’s reluctance to come forward.

“We’re not all limelight seekers,” Jordan said, adding that he intended to at least thank Campion by e-mail.

Source: New York Daily News