From left to right, Tyler Grady, 9, Michael Grady, 52, and Austin Grady, 12. (June 29, 2009)
How tragic. Hopefully the son will not blame himself and find peace.
Posted on 06/30/2009 11:57:36 AM PDT by inflorida
Maitland 12-year-old Austin Grady jammed his foot beneath a boulder while sliding down a mountain stream and couldn't pull free. His father plunged into the river and planted himself beside the boy. For 30 minutes, Michael Grady kept his son alive, holding the child's head above the rushing white water.
Volunteer firefighters pulled the boy to safety. They could not save the father.
In saving his son, Grady had gotten his own foot trapped in the rocks. Exhausted from the rescue — fighting water that was pummeling him and suffering from hypothermia — he died in the stream.
Grady, 52, an accountant on vacation with his and two other Maitland families, died Sunday in the Cullasaja River near Highlands, N.C.
(Excerpt) Read more at orlandosentinel.com ...
How tragic. Hopefully the son will not blame himself and find peace.
Prayers up..
God Bless...
What a dad. God bless him where he is. I hope they are a Christian family, who can say, “your father loved you so much that he was willing to die for you”, in both senses of the word.
Dad did his job well protecting his son.....I have a feeling Dad is glad that it was him rather than his son......
Highlands...that water is COLD up there; even at this time of year.
Wow, so tragic! So tragic. One quick moment in time, and he is gone. Prayers being said for the family, and especially the little boy. Dad is a hero!
Unbelievably sad.....The ultimate act of love....
“...I have a feeling Dad is glad that it was him rather than his son......”
That’s exactly what I was thinking.
RIP
There is a real man and a real father. My prayers and heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Grady.
Rest in Peace Sir.
Prayers up for the family. Rest In Peace, Michael Grady, you are a super dad.
I got tears in my eyes. I can think of my son and relate to what this Dad was thinking. God Bless the family.
Prayers for this family.
RIP.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.