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The father who had to pick which of his twins to save when their canoe capsized
Daily Mail ^ | 6-17-08 | Luke Salkeld

Posted on 06/17/2008 12:38:23 PM PDT by kingattax

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Victim: Billie Clayton, nine, who died in the tragic canoeing accident

1 posted on 06/17/2008 12:38:24 PM PDT by kingattax
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To: kingattax

Words fail me.


2 posted on 06/17/2008 12:41:22 PM PDT by svcw (There is no plan B.)
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To: svcw

it would be impossible to imagine the depth of that kind of pain. may God bless that poor man.


3 posted on 06/17/2008 12:43:05 PM PDT by kingattax (99 % of liberals give the rest a bad name)
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To: kingattax

Headline is misleading.

He just went for the child he could see, and when he got around to going for the other one she had disappeared.

He really didn’t make a choice.


4 posted on 06/17/2008 12:43:26 PM PDT by prolifefirst
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To: kingattax
Is the outfitter on trial (inquest)? Sounds like they are blaming the canoe rental place for not instructing the father properly. Later it says he took a wrong turn and got into trouble.

Sad story

5 posted on 06/17/2008 12:44:58 PM PDT by stainlessbanner
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To: kingattax

Wow, talk about a parent’s worst nightmare...

I truly pray God will provide every bit of comfort & peace to this man & his son, as they begins the grieving process.

R.I.P. Billie Clayton


6 posted on 06/17/2008 12:46:02 PM PDT by Peace4EarthNow (Come to know Jesus as your Savior, so YOU TOO can be saved!!)
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To: prolifefirst

“He really didn’t make a choice.”

Yes, this father made a choice.


7 posted on 06/17/2008 12:47:41 PM PDT by hoe_cake (Drill Here! Drill Now! Pay Less!)
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To: kingattax

A flooded river has awsome power, even when it appears like it is moving slowly.

My family was on a flooded Fox river near Chicago 10 years ago and one of our canoes got pinned against a cement pylon from an old dam. The force was so great that 6 hulking fireman on the shore couldn’t pull it free with a rope.

The canoe rental place told me the river was safe.


8 posted on 06/17/2008 12:47:50 PM PDT by prolifefirst
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To: kingattax

I got a kick in the gut just thinking about having to make a decision like that.

Prayers for the family


9 posted on 06/17/2008 12:48:20 PM PDT by Domandred (McCain's 'R' is a typo that has never been corrected)
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To: what_not2007

Yes, this father made a choice.

Maybe I’m not following the story, but it seems to me that there was child who was visible and he got that one, and then went after the other.

Doesn’t sound like a choice, just reaction to the circumstances that were presented to him.


10 posted on 06/17/2008 12:49:44 PM PDT by prolifefirst
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To: kingattax
I will never know if I made the right decision.

Some things should never be said out loud.

11 posted on 06/17/2008 12:49:58 PM PDT by donna (Just trying to get by without shoving.)
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To: kingattax

I’m not sure what the bejeebers these people were thinking by taking children who could not take charge of themselves in a canoe in fast moving water.


12 posted on 06/17/2008 12:51:54 PM PDT by Brilliant
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To: prolifefirst
The canoe rental place told me the river was safe.

One of the first things I learned about water and boats is that any amount of water, no matter how 'safe' it is supposed to be, will kill you if you don't respect it.

13 posted on 06/17/2008 12:51:54 PM PDT by Domandred (McCain's 'R' is a typo that has never been corrected)
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To: kingattax

As 1/2 of a set of twins, I cannot imagine life without my sister...especially when we were kids. There is a bond between twins that is...indescribable.


14 posted on 06/17/2008 12:52:02 PM PDT by Fundamentally Fair (When all you have is a kitty, every problem looks like a troll.)
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To: kingattax

Dear Lord, please don’t ever put me in a situation like that. I don’t think I could bear the pain or the guilt.


15 posted on 06/17/2008 12:52:26 PM PDT by reagan_fanatic (This tagline is completely naked - STOP STARING!)
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To: kingattax
I went and checked out the Wye, and it is not that difficult a river, it's mostly Class 1 with some moderate Class 2 with long runouts. Lots of tourist rental outfits, which you don't see on Class 2+ or Class 3. I would not have thought a nine-year-old swimmer would be at risk, unless pinned under the canoe.

The story doesn't say if the kids or the father are swimmers. If they aren't, no business being on the river, especially not alone. Moving water is always dangerous to some degree.

If they were good swimmers, it is a tragic accident.

16 posted on 06/17/2008 12:52:52 PM PDT by AnAmericanMother (Ministrix of Ye Chase, TTGC Ladies' Auxiliary (recess appointment))
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To: Domandred
The canoe rental place told me the river was safe.

One of the first things I learned about water and boats is that any amount of water, no matter how 'safe' it is supposed to be, will kill you if you don't respect it.

You're right - this sounds as if he'd never been on the water before (which he probably didn't clue the rental place into). I suppose an urban Brit might never had been exposed to paddling at any level. Americans get so much of it at Scout camp and Y camp and guided tours at the beach, we may assume that the average guy knows one end of a canoe from the other -- and be wrong.

17 posted on 06/17/2008 12:58:18 PM PDT by AnAmericanMother (Ministrix of Ye Chase, TTGC Ladies' Auxiliary (recess appointment))
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To: reagan_fanatic

He had to make the same decision.


18 posted on 06/17/2008 12:58:59 PM PDT by naturalized ("The time has come," He said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!")
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To: prolifefirst
A friend and I capsized out of our canoe and into the Du Page river (not too far from the Fox River you mentioned). I came up directly under the heavy canoe. I'm a good swimmer but had to fight my way clear from under the boat to the surface because of the current.

The current was not as bad as the Fox can be when it's high. You're fortunate you escaped an unpleasant ending.

When I got home, I changed from my filthy, yukky wet clothes and shoes. I removed the paper bills from my sodden wallet and hung them outside on the clothesline to dry.

I've never been in a canoe since. Thanks, but no thanks.

Leni

19 posted on 06/17/2008 1:01:06 PM PDT by MinuteGal (Stay Home or vote Barr for Obamination, more Taxation, Regulation, Litigation and Ginburgization)
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To: prolifefirst
"The canoe rental place told me the river was safe."

With proper gear, it can be safer. Life jacket, buoyant head gear, and shoes, make almost any river safe, but one must always be completely alert, and also know what you're going to encounter, if you are bringing young children for whom you will be responsible. That may mean making the run alone first.

20 posted on 06/17/2008 1:01:43 PM PDT by editor-surveyor (Jimmy Carter is the skidmark in the panties of American History)
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