Marine Awarded Highest Award for Bravery After Pulling Child from Deadly River
During the summer heat, we find lots of fun ways to stay cool. If you’re fortunate enough to have a pool (or a friend with a pool), then you probably spend a good amount of time in the water.
There are other watery ways to stay cool — water parks, beaches and rivers are all popular cool-down locations. And what’s more relaxing than floating down a river in an inner tube, drink in hand?
It may seem calming, but any time you put yourself in the hands of natural forces, on some level you’re flirting with disaster.
The Salt River is a common tubing spot for people in Arizona. It may be a popular destination, but because of its strong currents, it has seen its share of deaths.
MCSO Lake Patrol Deputy’s are working a drowning at the Salt River near the Blue Point Bridge. Adult male victims has drowned. pic.twitter.com/zRs33w2GZo
— @SgtJEnriquez (@SgtJEnriquez) June 3, 2018
One boy who got sucked away by the current two years ago is only alive today because of the brave and selfless actions of a Marine, Lance Cpl. Tucker Watson-Veal.
It was Sept. 17, 2016, when Watson-Veal saw a father in obvious distress while on vacation. The man told him that his son, who couldn’t swim, was drowning in the river.
Without pausing, Watson-Veal immediately planned his route.
“No way I was going to swim against that current,” he said. “The Salt River is a very fast moving body of water.”
He ran a bit ahead of where the boy was and jumped in, catching up quickly to the child. He caught the boy and secured them both to the side of the river.
“He was not in very good condition, he needed to get out of the river very quickly,” he later said. The boy was beginning to experience signs of hypothermia.
The section of river they were stationed at was impossible to climb out of, but Watson-Veal held on and waited.
Eventually, the Maricopa County Sheriff’s airboat found them, and hauled them both to safety. Watson-Veal was a hero, but the river could have easily claimed them both.
The Marine’s mother knew this very well.
“I grew up in Arizona and spent many years on the Salt River so I knew exactly how much danger that kid was in and the danger my son put himself in jumping into that river,” she said.
“I cannot remember the statistics now but there have been many deaths on the Salt River.”
The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office knew this, too, and reported on the incident. “It was determined later, without hesitation, Tucker jumped into the river and swam across the strong current risking his own life to save Alex,” they wrote.
“Due to the river’s current and cold water temperature, it is the belief both subjects could not have held on for much longer and Tucker saved Alex from possibly drowning,” they continued.
This May, Watson-Veal received the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for his bravery. His actions will forever be commemorated by the medal and remembered by a very thankful family.
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