Posted on 08/11/2005 10:27:24 AM PDT by Military family member
By Joanne Hammer/Tribune-Star
Struggling against a strong river current, in one last, heroic effort, Donald Werth heaved his daughter to safety before disappearing under the surface, his fiancée said Wednesday.
The 38-year-old truck driver from Dana drowned Tuesday in the Wabash River while saving two of his children from its depths.
Werth, his fiancée and three children had bought 10 Burger King Whoppers and planned to relax and fish all day at a familiar spot on the banks.
They had planned to go to Indiana Beach the next day, said his fiancée, Gail Kleiner of Dana.
The five were wading near a sandbar in an area where they often camped and fished, about one and a half miles west of Howard in Parke County, near a Cinergy/PSI generating station.
What they did not know was the sandbar dropped off into 12 feet of water.
"It was relaxing and there were no distractions," Kleiner said. "It was absolute family time."
Since Werth's children lived in Preston, Conn., Werth would spend as much time with them as he could during their 10-day Christmas visit and four-week summer visit. They spent time outdoors, catching and grilling white perch and catfish. All the children could swim, so they had no qualms about being near the water.
Werth's 7-year-old, Sara, was wading in the water at stomach level when she took a step forward and went under. Her 11-year-old brother, Brian, jumped in to save her but could not both swim and hold her as she became frantic, Kleiner said. Hero: Donald Werth, 38, drowned Tuesday in the Wabash River while saving his children. (Submitted photo)
Werth and Kleiner rushed into the water and Kleiner helped Brian swim to shore. She thought her fiancée was swimming behind her, but when she turned around he was treading water in the same spot, trapped in a current, she said.
Kleiner said she swam toward Werth, who in one last effort heaved Sara toward her as he went under water.
Indiana State Police and Indiana State Conservation officer divers found Werth's body at 5 p.m. in 12 feet of water. He was pronounced dead at the scene at 5:50 p.m. by Parke County Deputy Coroner Jim Taylor, according to an Indiana State Conservation news release.
"He lived and breathed for those kids," Kleiner said. "He is a hero. We knew it when it happened."
A few weeks ago, Werth taught his 9-year-old son, Tyler, how to ride a bicycle without training wheels, Kleiner said.
Werth family: From left: Sara, 7; Tyler, 9; and Brian, 11. (Submitted photo)
Werth and Kleiner met about three years ago while driving semi trucks and became engaged in December. Werth moved to Dana and began working for Jim Anderson Trucking about a year ago.
He enjoyed trucks and took his beagle-Dalmatian-black Labrador mix dogs, Lisa and Leah, with him in his semi. Now Kleiner says she will take the dogs with her on the road. "I couldn't part with them," she said.
Those who worked with Werth said he always was willing to lend a hand.
"He was a real hard worker and did anything I needed him to do," said Tim Osterbur, Jim Anderson Trucking co-owner and operations manager. Werth had driven semis for 13 years. "He thought the world of Gail and his kids," Osterbur said. "We all enjoyed him working for us and will miss him a lot. He was one of the best guys we had."
On Tuesday, the Cayuga Fire Department and Cayuga Town Marshal initially responded but did not immediately find the area because of poor directions, State Conservation officers said. The sheriff's departments from Parke and Vermillion counties also responded.
An autopsy determining Werth's cause of death is planned for today, said Lt. Kent Hutchins, commander of Indiana State Conservation District 5.
Conservation officers said drownings near sandbars happen too often.
"Year after year children wade in what they think is shallow water but is surrounded by deep water," Hutchins said. "The location where they are standing is fine, but inches away is deep water."
Children should have supervision while swimming, should wear life jackets when near water and should not swim where they cannot see the bottom, he said.
"had bought 10 Burger King Whoppers and planned to relax..."
just caught my eye.
what a sad tragic accident, I am glad the children were saved, the father acted as we all hope we would act once the situation arose.
two apiece?
just caught my eye.
Me too. It made me think, "How could these people drown, I'd expect them to float."
Maybe a dumb journalist that thinks every burger BK sells is a Whopper.
A real sad story.
Actually now that you mention it, that seems most likely.
Ditto
Man, you can't be much of a better father than that. What a guy; I hope the kids don't suffer too much psychologically for his heroism.
It caught my eye, too... as a completely irrelevant comment. Is this person a journalist or just another fast-food basher? Really.. WHAT did that have to do with the story?
One of the other attractions to that site is a nesting pair of Bald Eagles
I know the reporter. It's stated that was because that's what she was told.
Oh this is just too sad...But dying for so your child can live...what a father.
What a real hero. How terribly sad.
Actually, I'm guessing the journalist was just trying to humanize the story. Showing that the guy was just like the rest of us. But 10 whoppers might be a bit much.
"How often have you seen a headline like this - 'Two Die Attempting Rescue Of Drowning Child.' If a man gets lost in the mountains, hundreds will search and often two or three searchers are killed. But the next time somebody gets lost just as many volunteers turn out.
"Poor arithmetic...but very human. It runs through all our folklore, all human religions, all our literature – a racial conviction that when one human needs rescue, others should not count the price.
"Weakness? It might be the unique strength that wins us a galaxy."
- Robert Anson Heinlein in 'Starship Troopers,' 1959.
I have to wonder why a 7-year-old and 11-year-old whose family loved to camp and fish did not know how to swim and had just learned to ride bikes without training wheels. My kids learned to do both at age 6. At 11 and 8 they are very proficient swimmers. All children should know how to swim as early as possible.
If one could truely show his children how much he loved them, this would be the way to do it.
I hope that I never have to make that decision, but I hope that I'd be able to.
The Wabash River is known for fierce undertows. Even seasoned divers don't like to go in
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