A dad has lost his life saving his two teenage daughters who were drowning in a pond.
Henry Brooks, a 46-year-old resident of Hope, Maine, heroically dove into the water on Saturday when he saw his two daughters, aged 12 and 13, being swept into deep areas of Seven Tree Pond in Union.
One of Brooks' daughters initially fell into a deeper section of the pond near its confluence with a local river. In a courageous act, the other daughter attempted to rescue her sibling but found herself pulled into an even deeper part of the water, the Maine Warden Service said.
In response to the distressing situation, Brooks' 27-year-old son joined the rescue efforts by leaping into the pond. Regrettably, only the son managed to grab a life jacket before springing into action, as relayed by the warden service.
He successfully saved his sisters and brought them to safety at a nearby dock. However, upon looking back, he realised that his father was missing. Concerned for his well-being, game wardens and first responders swiftly initiated a search operation both on foot and by boat.
Tragically, the lifeless body of Henry Brooks was discovered by three Maine Warden Service divers at approximately 7.30pm Saturday. He was found roughly 50ft away from the shore, as stated by the warden service.
The authorities promptly transported his children to PenBay Medical Center, in the nearby town of Rockport. There, they remained under observation throughout the night to ensure their well-being and recovery.
The tragic incident comes after a man who survived the 9/11 attacks in New York City, tragically died while trying to save a child who had fallen into an icy lake in a Chicago suburb.
Luke Laidley, 43, was boating with others on Lake Michigan when the incident occurred. Witnesses reported that a child fell off a raft being pulled by the boat, prompting Laidley and others to react.
He encountered difficulties in the water before being pulled back onto the boat, but he was unresponsive. CPR was initiated, and was rushed to the hospital, where he later passed away.
Mr Laidley had worked at the World Trade Centre in Tower 2 and survived the 9/11 attacks. He was remembered as a compassionate and selfless individual by his family and neighbours. Mr Laidley is survived by his wife and three young children.
