Drownings in Louisiana

[Bunnylady]

Same situation happened near here a couple of years ago. The water wasn't 25 feet deep, just over their heads. One child got in trouble, another tried to help, etc. Don't remember all the details, but the father and at least 3 children drowned, while the mother and at least 2 others stood and watched. Tragic!

 

[Godsgrl]

The story is so heartbreaking and makes me so mad. Why would you take your children to a river, and let them play in the water, when NO-ONE can swim? What sense is there in that? Oh it makes me so mad.

The family just stood by and let the teens drown? I'd die trying to save my children. Okay, let me just end here.

 

[NonnasBabies]

The floor didn't shift and make a sink hole it just had 25 ft drop there. It's like that in much of the rivers around here!!

I had the same thoughts as everyone else I can't believe not one of them, adults & kids alike couldn't swim. If you live in Louisiana you know how the rivers are. The worse thing as far as I'm concerned is the adults made NO attempt to try to save their kids except throwing out one lone life jacket!! I would have died myself to save one of my kids!!

Missi

 

[gpamela3499]

I know it is hard to imagine but unless there are community swim lessons available there is no way for families to learn water safety including knowing when and where to swim. My mother did not know how to swim and would not allow us to even be in the little blow up pool by ourselves. This did not however teach us water safety. I was lucky enough to grow up in a community that provided summer swimming lessons and water safety. This was during the '70's in Florida. I still often swam in unsafe water (no life guards, alligators, strong currents) when my mother was not aware or while visiting relatives or with church outings. My children know how to swim but even then things can happen. It's the water safety part that is important.

 

[Catstar68]

Having grown up living on LI, sandwiched between an ocean and a bay with lakes in between I cannot fathom the idea of not being able to swim. Heck, you don't have to swim...just learn how to float on your back!

This whole thing was just tragic on so many levels.

My prayers go out to the families.

 

[arabianequine]

Quote:
Thats what the news said last night.

 

[redhen]

Quote:
Yeah.. thats what they said in the story...That it just goes on generation to generation, because of the fear...
Heck.. my dad just tossed me in the middle of the pool to teach me to keep my head above water...

(cause i was being stubbon about learning to swim... )
It worked though..

 

[justbugged]

I have to say it is beyond comprehension to me that the adults stood and watched. I would have drowned myself trying to save my own kids. I know that the adults couldn't swim, but didn't they have a clue to grab a tree branch or something in order to pull the children back to the shallows? The problem solving skills of the adults is beyond me. It was one of the saddest stories I have ever read in the news. There is nothing worse than loosing a child, let alone more than one.

I would never have allowed kids that can't swim in the water that is over their ankles, without flotation devises on. River are the worst, here in the NW we loose kids every year to the rivers. We get one warm day and everyone head to the rivers without a clue that they as cold as they are.

 

[elijahboy]

yes the intial story was that it turned into a big sinkhole after the kids were in it

then i went to look at an update and its said that it was a drop off

wondering if they are trying to cover up something???????????something to do with thousands upon thousands of gallons of missing "something" under the crust.

Quote:
Thats what the news said last night.

 

[Iowa Roo Mom]

Quote:
I grew up in rural Iowa, and I have never taken a formal swim lesson. But I can swim just fine. Growing up near ponds and creeks, my parents thought it was incredibly important to teach us how to swim, and more importantly, water safety. No formal lessons, but hey, it worked, and not one of us drowned growing up.

I agree with others, these people should not have allowed their children in the river, knowing that no one knew how to swim. It's a horrible, but absolutly preventable, tragedy.