This Guy Is A Hero - Gave His Own Life To Save A Little Girls

http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/12/27/res....ap/index.html

VENTURA, California (AP) -- A man rescued his 4-year-old grandniece who was swept into the ocean by a wave, then drowned in the rough surf on Tuesday, authorities said.

The girl and her mother were watching the big waves when one knocked the child off a jetty, said Ventura County fire Capt. Barry Parker.

Timothy Barry, 54, jumped into the water off Pierpont Beach after hearing the girl's mother screaming for help, Parker said.

Barry reached the girl and kept her head above water until a surfer arrived and brought her to safety, Parker said.

Lifeguards found Barry floating face down by the time they arrived. He was not breathing and did not have a pulse, Parker said.

About an hour later, police and state lifeguards closed the Ventura Pier about a quarter-mile away because 10- to 12-foot waves were slapping its underside, said police Sgt. Jack Richards.

What would you guys do if you were in his situation?

[carol.prime]

definitely saved the little girl...
Her Grandpa was a true hero...
my condolences with his family and loved ones...

[needlive]

It's hard to tell...I don't know, to be honest...

[cool1]

Would do the same thing he did, no hesation!

[NoWhErE]

I used to work alot of the police and firefighters.

What I've learned is that most of people will just look on upon a scene without moving a muscle. The shock factor and surprise usually freezes people up.

Then there are those who have the instinct to be a hero and jump in. Unfortunately, that instinct usually does not include logical thinking and those people usually end up not pulling through.


Thats what I've learned through my experience with working with rescuers.

If I were faced with such a situation, I would probably try to help the other person, but my experience would probably prove to be helpful since I've seen and sometimes put into practice ways to protect yourself and others when faced with a dangerous situation. So hopefully I would survive.

My mind wants to say, right now, not in the situation that I would be hesitant ... But I am a spontaneous person, so I think I would jump right in immediately if I was in the same situation.

[Anthony]

He did the right thing.

RIP.

[Martin]

I wouldn't jump in. Im still young myself.

[WebairGerard]

hard to tell unless you are in it. I think I would do the same or try to at least. He is a hero for sure.

[MetaMan]

He is up in heaven now, these are the kinds of things that make me believe in afterlife, there is a universal force that drives good.

[jmk]

I think I'd jump in without really thinking

May his soul RIP!

[DaddyHalbucks]

Somewhat restores my faith in humanity.

[Ryan St. Germain]

I'd do the same thing. How could you not?
I'd rather die saving someone I loved than live with the thought that I didn't.

[BobG]

Wow. Amazing thing to do. What a hero. RIP

[fuzebox]

I was a certified lifeguard, but quit after my first week on the job because I couldn't handle the pressure... Much, much respect to him.

[junction]

As a former Firefighter, I'd have done the same thing. I wouldn't have even thought about it.

Originally Posted by NoWhErE

Thats what I've learned through my experience with working with rescuers.

I'm curious as to what you did with rescue workers.

[StuBradley]

I can honestly say that is the first time I have ever heard the word "grandniece" .

[abz]

All credit to him I would of done the same thing.

[FelixFlow]

Originally Posted by NoWhErE

Then there are those who have the instinct to be a hero and jump in. Unfortunately, that instinct usually does not include logical thinking and those people usually end up not pulling through.
.

correct me if i'm wrong, but aren't u supposed to take a moment to take off your jeans & your shoes before you go diving into water to save somebody??

[Michaelious]

That is pretty bad

[uno]

Originally Posted by StuBradley

I can honestly say that is the first time I have ever heard the word "grandniece" .

I thought the same thing. I guess its the son/daughter of your niece/nephew.

[a1ka1ine]

i would say i'd do the same now but, faced with the situation i dont know, id hope so :|

[NinjaSteve]

Wow that's awesome. I wonder if he was not a good swimmer.

[marcjacob]

An amazing person. I hope id do the right thing but you truly never know until your in that situation.

[tASSy]

i'm a surfer by nature. i surfed maverick's for about 10 years (if you don't know what/where mav's is - it's a spot where it really only gets good at about 15 ft. overhead).

i would have paddled out to that girl and i would have given my life to her, period. she has a lot longer to go than i do. who the fuck wouldn't?


this man is a stand-up character, may he rest in peace.

[spacedog]

We're it my own child, or any child belonging to any of my family, bet your ass I'd jump in. The way I see it, a child has no chance of survival without the aid of an adult. No friggen way I would just sit & do nothing. If it we're my own child & I do nothing, I would not be able to deal with the pain, nor the guilt & would hate myself..


Now, if it were the child of a stranger, i'd be more cautious.. I'd look around & see if anyone else is jumping in first., I'd weigh & calculate the risks to me before doing anything... because I want to be around for my own children

But as far as drowning goes, I feel confident that I'm a good swimmer, so, would definitely jump in without thinking first..

[Fizzgig]

Originally Posted by uno

I thought the same thing. I guess its the son/daughter of your niece/nephew.

That's right.

[Screaming]

godspeed...

[Poppy]

I would DEFINITELY jump in.

[AsianDivaGirlsWebDude]

Sad story...too bad for the Uncle.

People drown at the beach here every year trying to watch unusually large waves, which are generally associated with a strong storm.

Why did the stupid mother allow her daughter to get so close to the waves in the first place?

Perhaps he should have thrown her moms in first...

One of the first rules of rescue is to not make the situation worse by also putting yourself at extreme risk - since this just multiplies the problem.

With that said, I would probably try to help.

I've never saved anyone from drowning, however, I have put out three car fires over the years (I carry a fire extinguisher in my car), and I've saved a few buddies from being killed by providing a fake alibi to their wives...

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[Dagwolf]

I can't imagine NOT jumping in after a little girl.

[marketsmart]

i have saved two people... once saved a girl... i took an emt course in college and was on a boat with a bunch of my friends that were med school students... they all froze... i took control of the situation and saved the girls life...

the second time happened this year when i saw a head on collision on the highway... long story, but if i would have not been there the kid would have died...

its amazing how many people stop but either dont know what to do or just become frozen....

i would give my life to save another if neccessary, especially if it involved a child... and i would do it without hesitation...

i think some people have it in them or they dont....

not blowing my own horn.. i would never consider myself a hero... i just did what needed to be done at the time...

[VeriSexy]

Unfortunate.. makes my eyes watery

[notabook]

I can't swim worth a shit so I would have not been able to do anything for her or anyone in that sort of situation. The old man certainly was a brave guy, may Lord Archiot bless him with a new metallic body in which for him to manipulate the Megasphere with.

[E$_manager]

Nice story.
The 4 year girl is not understanding anything now, i guess.
I wonder what will she feel when she will grow up. Will she be glad she is saved or will she be unhappy and sorry a man died?

[Z]

I'd have jumped in...definitely.

[Ohface]

I honestly don't know what I'd do...I hope I'll never find out.

[reynold]

I guess I would do the same thing.