St. George man drowns saving his sons

The Denver Post ^ | 7/19/2009 | Tom McGhee

[jan in Colorado]

A 32-year-old St. George man drowned Saturday while saving his young sons from sinking in a cold Garfield County lake.

Shawn Pederson was in a paddle boat in Upper Barker Lake when he noticed that his sons, ages 5 and 7, were having trouble staying above the water as they swam nearby, according to the Garfield County Sheriff's office.

Pederson jumped in and kept the boys' heads above water as he tried to get them into the boat.

He yelled to J.H. Frost, his father-in-law, and to his brother-in-law, who were on the shore, and the two swam to the paddle boat.

They pulled the boys into the boat. By the time they turned around Pederson had slipped below the surface.

[cricket]

Yes; it looks bad; and no doubt; life-long recriminations perhaps. It may be; he went for a ride; staying close; and was trusting family on shore to watch them; which; in the end; it just what HE was doing; as it was this father that called for help.

Don't know, of course; no do any of us; the entire scenario here; and whatever the case; it is a tragic one. All the more; given that it could probably have been avoided with clearer thinking.

[fieldmarshaldj]

RIP.

[netmilsmom]

Dugg

[PAR35]

I have to agree with your post. Perhaps someone will learn from the story, and a future tragedy averted.

[pankot]

“No greater love...”