KFVS12 News & Weather Cape Girardeau, Carbondale, Poplar BluffDexter mans drowns in Bollinger County
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By: Crystal Britt
BOLLINGER COUNTY, MO (KFVS) - Authorities say 25 year old Ricky Joe Moore of Dexter died Saturday while trying to save family members, including young children.
They were all swimming Saturday afternoon at the Sweet Gum Recreational Area near Zalma.
A day of fun in the sun turned tragic as a Dexter man looses his brother to the swift waters of the Castor River.
"He went under and never came back," said Randall Moore-Victim's Brother.
Randall Moore says he was swimming with his family, including his 25 year old brother when the young children, including Randall Moore's daughter started to run into trouble.
"We were just playing, and in the blink of an eye I dove in and grabbed her. Trying to get her out", said Randall Moore.
Two local men say they saw the situation and did what they could to help.
"We jumped in to help them get back, we got three back and the other drowned trying to get back", said Lennie Bailey. "We were out of breath and couldn't get back to help him."
Bollinger County Sheriff Leo McElrath says, "The little girl was probably the one in the most danger and they were able to save the mother and father, but the brother couldn't be saved."
Edward Gardner of Scopus says, "I went after the girl and got her out of the water. Then we went after the others. The man, we were too scared he would pull us under. We looked him in the eyes when he went down, but there was nothing I could do."
"It was a freak thing, the current was too strong to save everyone", said Sheriff McElrath.
Randall Moore still can't believe he lost his brother.
"He was a good man. He worked his butt off everyday to take care of his four kids, and just brought the kids up here to go swimming and dove in to help me save my daughter's life and now he's dead", said Randall Moore.
Ricky Joe Moore is being hailed a hero by his family for actions he took to save others.
Sheriff McElrath wants to remind everyone that if you are going to be swimming on any river, or any body of water for that matter to wear a life jacket.
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