Some heroes wear tights and capes, some heroes wear camouflage and artillery belts, and some, as it turns out, wear jeans and t-shirts. A family in Oregon is being praised for their incredible heroism after they plucked eight children from drowning in a lake Saturday. The Gibson family had gathered for a little reunion at Henry Hagg Lake when Evan Gibson saw a little boy flailing about in the water. He recognized the child needed immediate help and rushed to the shore. His three sisters and a nephew followed him, and when they got in the water, they realized that two of the children, who range in age from 6 to 13, had already sunk to the bottom.
The family then formed some sort of assembly line and started passing the drowning kids one by one, hand by hand, to safety. They say they didn't realize how many kids there were, but just knew they had to do something.
The first person the heroic family pulled from the water was the mother of two of the children, who had gone in after the drowning kids, but she didn't know how to swim, either.
Actually, none of the drowning victims knew how to swim, which begs the question, what the heck were they doing then, swimming in a lake?
Apparently, the lake has a sudden and deep drop-off. One minute you're wading knee-deep, the next you're struggling to stay alive.
Thankfully, the Gibson family knew about the drop-off and were able to realize that those kids were in real danger. The fire chief said that professional rescuers couldn't have done a better job -- the Gibsons were just that good.
I can't imagine the fear in the parents' eyes as they watched their kids go under, knowing the children didn't know how to swim, and knowing that they couldn't help because they, themselves, don't know how to swim, as well.
I also can't imagine their relief when everyone was rescued. It's been reported that everyone's doing amazingly well.
Thank goodness for the Gibsons, huh? This story could have had a disastrous and tragic ending had it not been for them. Also, life-vests or even noodles obviously aren't a bad idea if you're taking eight kids to a lake and not one of them knows how to swim.
What do you think of this story?
Photo via foxnews.com
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Comments 16
So why isn't the drop off marked by a bouy or a sign in the lake? Thank goodness the Gibson family happened to be there. One drowning death is tragic for a family, but 8 drowning deaths in one family all at once is incomprehensible. So glad everyone is safe now. I hope they all sign up for swimming lessons at their neighborhood Y right away.
Thank God for the Gibson family. I don't know how to swim and I don't take my child alone for this reason. After reading this I know I have to put my fear of water and my fat ass in a bathing suit aside and learn how to swim, no more putting it off. I am so glad I am not reading a story about a family of eight that died.
There is no comment on it nor does the video show the victims, but (and I don't want to sound racist) I bet the victims were all black. Sadly most black children don't learn how to swim. Maybe it should be a mandatory class for kids to learn how to swim in schools.
Glad everyone is fine.
Growing up in Oregon, we went to Hagg Lake frequently. Given, it has been at least 15 years since I've been there, but the drop off used to be marked. I am not a very strong swimmer and my mom made me stay well away from the drop. Thankfully for that family, someone else was there that could and was willing to help!
Amazing, just absolutly amazing!