MACON, Ga. — Macon nearly saw its third drowning victim in less than a week, but a good Samaritan stepped in to help save a man's life. Sunday night, Gail Metcalf and her husband, John, were cruising Lake Tobesofkee when they saw some people waving at them from the shoreline.
"My husband and I were cruising in our boat, about to go under the bridge, when we saw a woman and some kids waving at us. We thought they were being friendly for a moment," said Metcalf.
But as they approached the shore, they realized those people weren't waving for fun, they were trying to wave down help. Metcalf says she saw a man drowning, a woman swimming out to help, and another bystander trying to save the man who was struggling to stay afloat.
"We were able to throw life vests to all three people in the water," said Metcalf.
Then she says they scooped the bystander into their boat, as park rangers pulled the drowning man to shore. That's when Metcalf jumped into the water herself, swam to land, and began praying for the 25-year-old victim.
"I started praying for him, because I believe that God had us there for a reason, this was a miracle. I started praying for him and I said, 'Darren, God has plans for you. He saved you for a purpose, for a reason, do you understand that?' And his eyes, which had been sort of rolled back, just focused a little bit, and he was able to say, 'uh huh,'" said Metcalf.
Macon-Bibb Fire Chief Marvin Riggins says an ambulance took Darren Braswell to the Medical Center, Navicent Health, but he's okay and never stopped breathing.
Metcalf says if the man had been wearing a life vest, that may have been prevented.
"We've lived on this lake for 28 years and have been coming here since Lake Tobesofkee was built actually. It was a rule around our house with seven grandchildren that everybody here wears a life vest. I even put life vests on my dogs," said Metcalf.
According to the Centers For Disease Control, 10 people die everyday from unintentional drowning. Statistically, at least two are children under 14 years old.
But this time around, a life was spared, and Braswell will not be another statistic.
"I really do believe that God used us to save their lives, and I'm real glad about that," said Metcalf.
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources encourages citizens to follow these tips when enjoying beaches, pools, lakes, rivers, and other bodies of water. It spells out SPLASH:
- Supervision – Designate an adult to watch children at all times. Do not assume someone else is watching.
- Prevention – Wear personal flotation devices (PFD or life jacket), install fencing around pools, and use drain covers in hot tubs and pools.
- Life jackets save lives – Wear them and be sure your children do.
- Arm’s Length – Adults should be arm’s length to children in water, and safety tools such as hooks should be nearby at all times.
- Swim Lessons – Knowing how to swim greatly reduces he chance of drowning. Classes are often available through the Red Cross or YMCA.
- Have a Water Safety Plan – Know what to do during a water emergency.
Macon-Bibb is also offering swim lessons this summer for $15 per session. Each session lasts two weeks from Tuesday-Friday.
- June 11 - 21
- June 25 - July 5
- July 9 - 19
You can call Macon-Bibb Parks and Recreation at 478-621-6280 to register.