Please protect your children.

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snowhermit Woodsville, NH(Zone 4a) Jul 11, 2003

I debated if I should write this or not but then thought if it would save even one life it was well worth it.
The last two days have been the saddest I can remember in my small town.Two children(brothers 9 and 12) and a young women(22) were buried today.I knew both boys and their parents. The parents were divorced and the father had custody. They were visiting their mother on Sunday and the young women who lives in the same two family house asked their mother if they wanted to go swimming in the river across the road with her and her two year old boy.It is a popular swimming hole. The baby had a life jacket on. The two boys had life jackets but went out the door without them.They were not good swimmers.
Someone that was jogging heard a baby crying and found the 2 year old clinging to a tree branch in the river 1/4 mile downstream from where they had been swimming. They found the women and two brothers together in a 8ft deep pool 10PM Sun. night using a police helicopter with a light. They think that one or both of the boys got into trouble in the water and panicked and the women jumped in trying to save them.
The mother of the boys is guilt ridden for not putting the life jackets on, the father is devastated because these were his only children and he can't ever have anymore and the two year old no longer has a mother.
All of this tragedy could have been avoided if only the two brothers were wearing their life jackets.
Please, before your kids go swimming make sure they have a floatation device on even if they don't want to wear it. It could save their life.

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tiG Newnan, GA(Zone 8a) Jul 11, 2003

snow, I'm glad you posted this. I know this broke your heart. So tragic.

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tigerlily Tiller, OR(Zone 8a) Jul 11, 2003

Oh, what a sad story.
A moment of precaution might save a lifetime of pain.

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Aimee Georgetown, TX(Zone 8a) Jul 12, 2003

I share your grief. We grew up swimming in old gravel pits and all manner of creeks and bayous, and only by the grace of God did we escape such a fate. My heart goes out to your town. I hope this will help to make other children safe as it raises the awareness of parents everywhere.

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tootsie Bay City, MI(Zone 5a) Jul 12, 2003

How so very sad. I just cringe when i hear or read of some young child that has drowned as a result of not wearing a life jacket. It happens more often than we would like to think here on the lake. Mostly when parents take their children out on the boat for a ride, the boat tips over and rescue helicopters are called out. The news coverage tells us the "family" have drowned, but the life jackets were found floating around in the water!!!

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vic Jul 13, 2003

My deepest sympathy to you and these poor families. God be with each of you.

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