Brian K. Smith died helping to save Asa G. Segura Smith from drowning, Salyer, California, July 22, 2006. Asa, 7, his father, and others were swimming in a shallow stretch of the South Fork of the Trinity River when they entered an area where water was at least 12 feet deep and its current, strong. Asa’s father supported him and called for help. Smith, 40, college student, who was Asa’s uncle, was on the bank in the vicinity. He ran into the river and began to swim toward Asa and his father, who were about 150 feet from the bank. Asa’s father submerged, and Asa trod water until Smith reached him. Smith grasped Asa and struggled to return to the bank before he too submerged. Another member of the party also entered the river, taking with her a partially inflated air mattress. She swam to Asa, gave him one end of the mattress, and then towed him to the bank. Rescue personnel recovered Asa’s father and Smith from the river but could not revive them, as they had drowned.
79748 – 9178
79748-9178