Perspectives on tragedy, heroism in Beaver Creek

Three tragic drowning deaths in Columbiana County last week weave a tale of heroism, horror and heartbreak.

They also place a needed focus on the often undetectable dangers lurking in our rivers, streams, lakes and pools. And they reinforce the importance of acting safely any time anyone is in or near any potentially life-threatening body of water.

The deaths of 44-year-old Todd Vadino, his 10-year old son Garrett Todd Vadino and Garrett’s 14-year-old friend Carson Bonar after a Father’s Day kayaking trip in Little Beaver Creek resulted from an anguishing series of events triggered by Mother Nature’s fury.

The two boys were at Willow Grove Park rinsing their shoes at the creek’s spillway when the creek’s current intensified swiftly, sweeping the younger boy under water. In an amazing chain reaction of heroism, the teenager dove into the water to try to save his friend and also got pulled under. Then Todd Vadino jumped into the creek to try to rescue both boys.

THREE REMARKABLE LIVES

Such valor, however, proved no match for the rapidly accelerating currents of the creek on that rainy, windy day. The rushing torrent terminated the remarkable lives of all three.

By all accounts, Vadino was remarkable in his passion for teaching at Salem High School and in his compassion for all.

“He was outstanding, enthusiastic – one of the most-enthusiastic teachers I’ve ever worked with,” Salem schools Superintendent Joe Shivers said. The superintendent recalled a student who couldn’t afford work boots. How did Vadino respond? He bought boots for him.

Ten-year-old Garrett Todd Vadino was remarkable as well. He valued his faith as a member of Locust Grove Baptist Church and looked forward to service to others in Boy Scout Troop No. 2.

Carson, too, stood remarkably tall for his young age. He participated in community-service projects both with his Boy Scout troop and with his church and was one of five nominees this year for his school’s Good Student Award.

Sadly, the full potential of good from these three remarkable lives will never be realized. Their legacy of giving, however, may continue, if their deaths serve to reinforce the fickleness of nature’s wrath and the importance of never letting down one’s guard when in harm’s way.

Beaver Creek, like most any creek, river or stream, can beckon young and old alike as a peaceful inviting source of relaxation and pleasure. In a flash, speeding currents can make that same body of water a death trap.

That’s why it is important for all to follow basic rules of water and swimming safety. That includes always wearing a life jacket as a protective device. Sadly, all three of last week’s drowning victims had thrown their life preservers to the shore before the tragedy struck.

The deaths put into perspective the scope of tragedy that drowning inflicts on this nation. Each year, about 3,500 Americans die in drowning accidents. It is the leading cause of death for children 1 to 5 and second-leading unintentional-injury cause for children 1 to 14.

The three deaths have taken their toll on the Leetonia community. Its residents and others recognized the three earlier this week at an event at which hundreds of balloons were launched in their honor. In the short term, we can continue to honor their remarkable lives by pitching in online at the gofundme site titled “Vadino Family Fund” to help those closest to the victims in the aftermath of the tragedy.

In the long term, we can learn from this tragedy by keeping safety Priority No. 1 at all times when approaching bodies of water that can turn from tantalizing to treacherous in an instant.