Salem Super Duo Helps Save 3 Young Children from Drowning

Educate your children now about the dangers lurking in Oregon waterways.

Nick Morton of Salem helps other rescuers guide and pull to shore 12-year-old Juan Aguirre after he and his two sisters got trapped by swift moving currents in the Willamette River in Independence. Photo Courtesy: Gina Dankenbring

(INDEPENDENCE, Ore. ) - Normally on, and the day after the 4th of July, we hear too many tragic stories of serious injuries or deaths on Oregon waterways.

However, on Friday afternoon, two workers from Golden Grill Concessions, along with two other good Samaritans, jumped into the cold waters of the Willamette River in Independence during the Western Days 4th of July Celebration at Riverfront Park and helped rescued three young children from drowning.

Around 4:00 p.m., 12-year-old Juan Aguirre was out swimming with his two sisters, 10-year-old Leslie Aguirre and his other sister who is 8-years-old when the undercurrent pulled all three of them apart. Leslie tried to save the 8-year-old as she was being pulled down the river, and when Juan saw what was going on, he tried to swim over to them, but the under current pulled his legs so hard that he could not get to them, and became a victim himself.

That is when Juan yelled for help, and 25-year-old Nick Morton and 19-year-old Maggie Croswell both from Salem, who were working the event for Golden Grill Concession, heard the screams for help, and jumped into action.

The boy had got caught farther out than the girls, and two other good Samaritans were able to get the girls safely to shore. Nick swam out to a very scared Juan, and tried to calm him down so he could get them both back safely to the shore.

“He grabbed onto me by the neck, and I saw a flash before my eyes, and the next thing I knew he pulled me and him underwater, not once but twice” Nick said. Juan's father, who was working his own booth at the event, got into the water to try and help, but could not reach the pair. Nick was able to calm Juan down enough and had him wrapped around his body with his arms still around his neck, until Polk County Fire medical units and police officers from Dallas, Monmouth, and Independence arrived on scene.

Unfortunately for the pair, the rescue crews rope was not long enough to reach Nick and Juan. So, Maggie jumped in and swam the rope out to the two and they were brought back to shore. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office marine unit was in west Salem at the time, and arrived on scene after everyone had made it safely out of the water.

“It was very scary, and thank God someone else was there willing to save me and my sisters,” Juan said.

Dallas Police Chief Tom Simpson called after the incident to interview the two lifesavers. Nick said that Simpson told him that the Willamette River running through Independence has a dangerous undertow and is very unpredictable, and feels swimming should be banned at the park until officials can come up with a plan to keep swimmers and boaters safe from the fast moving waters.

One longtime Dallas Police officer who wished not to be identified told Salem-News.com that too many people are mistaken by the river because it looks deceivingly calm. He and his wife kayak down the river at least twice every summer, and it doesn’t take long for kayakers and people using other watercraft to find out that the waters near Independence flow much faster than in places like Salem, Albany, and Corvallis. There are signs posted in English and Spanish at the boat ramps at the park warning people of the dangerous river currents.

People just start walking out into the river and don’t realize that not far from the shore there is a big drop-off, and swimmers get caught by surprise, and that’s when the trouble begins. It doesn't take long before they are caught by the currents and swept downriver. They then start to panic, get tired trying to fight the currents, it doesn’t take but a few seconds or minutes before, even the most experienced swimmers, get pulled underwater or get trapped in the fast moving currents, and they have to battle for their lives to stay afloat and within the sight of others until help arrives, he said.

The parents said the kids are fine physically, but are still shaken by the incident. “We are just so thankful and grateful that those people risked their own lives to save the lives of our children,” Juan’s father said on Saturday.

Police would like to remind all parents as the weather continues to get warmer if you are taking your children of any age, or if they are going with someone else, to any Oregon waterway to swim or be in a watercraft of any type, to make sure they wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket no matter how good of a swimmer they maybe.

Parents are also advised to do the same because the water may look safe, but there are many hidden dangers in Oregon rivers and lakes that could land you in a whole heap of trouble.

Last year, five people drowned in Oregon waterways over the 4th of July Holiday period.