Selfless final act of hero who drowned in Missouri lake to save girlfriend’s five-year-old son
A heroic man drowned in a Missouri lake after saving his girlfriend’s 5-year-old son in a tragic, final act of bravery.
David Moore, 66, died Saturday afternoon after jumping into Smithville Lake, Missouri, without a life jacket. He saw the boy and another person drifting away from their pontoon boat.
Despite successfully rescuing both individuals, including the five-year-old boy, Moore was tragically swept away by the strong current and lost underwater.
Moore’s friends saw his head pop up twice before he disappeared beneath the water’s surface – never to return.
“He was able to get the boy back … but it took Dave further away and pushed him under. He couldn’t stand. There was an undercurrent,” said family friend Hank Penland KCTV.
David Moore, 66, died Saturday afternoon after jumping into Smithville Lake, Missouri, without a life jacket
Despite successfully rescuing both individuals, including the five-year-old boy, Moore was tragically swept away by strong currents and disappeared underwater
Moore’s body was later recovered by the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
The tragedy has left Moore’s family in shock.
His sister, Teresa Petty, said she “just lost it and started crying.”
“It’s horrible. It’s like a nightmare. I just wish he had put his life jacket on,” she added.
Family and friends remember Moore as a selfless person who always put others first.
“He would be the first person to help anyone,” said childhood friend William “Bill” Penland.
Moore, a contractor who owned his own business for 30 years, had planned to retire next July.
He had recently taken a cruise to Alaska with friends, a cruise that had always been on his bucket list.
“When he retired, he said he was going to do more fishing, hunting and boating,” Bill Penland recalled.
Moore, a contractor who owned his own business for 30 years, planned to retire next July. “He would be the first person to help someone,” said childhood friend William “Bill” Penland
Moore’s body was later recovered by the Missouri State Highway Patrol
Moore’s death marks the first drowning this year at Smithville Lake and the 28th in Missouri, state authorities said.
Moore was a huge fan of the Kansas City Chiefs and introduced the team to many players.
The last gift he gave his sister was a Chiefs jersey and a necklace.
“He took me to my first Chiefs game a couple years ago. It was freezing cold, but we stayed up there and watched the Chiefs,” Petty recalled.
It’s the first drowning this year at Smithville Lake and the 28th in Missouri, state authorities said.
Authorities are urging people to wear life jackets when on the water.