COLUMBUS, Ga. (AP) A soldier is being hailed as a hero for pulling two boys from the Chattahoochee River in Columbus.
Second Lt. James Lamoreaux was exploring a Chattahoochee River island with his wife, Shannon, when he heard screaming and spotted two boys, ages 9 and 15, struggling in the strong current, The Columbus Ledger-Enquirer reported.
He swam after them and was able to get them on the shoreline before fire crews arrived on Saturday afternoon, Shannon Lamoreaux recalls.
"He caught up to them and pulled him onto the rocks," she said. "He still had his phone and keys in his pocket. His phone was ruined, but the kids were safe."
Fire Marshal Ricky Shores said they were grateful Lamoreaux was there to help. Shores said that if he had not acted quickly, the boys could have drowned.
"I spoke to the boat crew leader," Shores said. "He felt confident that both kids would have drowned if he hadn't been able to get to them quickly."
The 9-year-old had fallen into the water while testing its depths, Shores said. When the first boy fell in, the teen followed in an attempt to save him.
"It's very common that people will jump in after others when they fall in, and it's also very common that the would-be rescuer becomes a victim as well," Shores said.
Sunday
May 5th, 2024
9:21PM
