A selfless man tragically drowned in a Missouri lake while saving his girlfriend’s 5-year-old son in an act of bravery.
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David Moore, 66, tragically lost his life on Saturday afternoon after jumping into Smithville Lake, Missouri, without a life jacket. He saw a young boy and another person drifting away from their pontoon boat.
Though he successfully rescued both, including the five-year-old boy, Moore was ultimately swept away by strong currents and vanished beneath the water.
Moore’s friends saw his head bob above the water twice before he disappeared beneath the surface, never to come back up again.
“He was able to get the boy back … but it took Dave farther away and pushed him under. He couldn’t stay up. There was an undercurrent,” Penland told local CBS outlet KCTV.
Moore’s remains were subsequently recovered by the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
The tragedy has left Moore’s family reeling. His sister, Teresa Petty, expressed her grief, stating that she immediately broke down in tears. “It’s terrible. It’s like a nightmare. I just wish he’d have put his life jacket on,’ Petty told the outlet
Childhood friend William ‘Bill’ Penland wasn’t surprised to hear of Moore’s selfless act. “He would be the first one to help anybody,” Penland said.
The Man Who Drowned Saving His Girlfriend’s Son Was Set to Retire Next Summer
Moore, a contractor who ran his own business for 30 years, was preparing to retire next July. He had recently gone on a ‘bucket list’ cruise to Alaska with friends.
“When he retired, he said he’s going to do more fishing, more hunting, more boating,’ Penland detailed.
A passionate Kansas City Chiefs fan, Moore introduced countless individuals to the team. The final gift he bestowed upon his sister was a Chiefs shirt accompanied by a necklace.
“He took me to my first Chiefs game a few years ago. It was freezing cold, but we stayed out there and watched the Chiefs,” Petty recounted.
Moore’s tragic passing marks the first drowning at Smithville Lake this year and the 28th in Missouri, according to state authorities. Officials are urging everyone to wear life jackets while on the water for safety.