Vail Daily letter: Tragedy can happen suddenly
On May 30, the Eagle County Sheriff’s Office, Routt County Sheriff’s Office, Rock Creek Fire Department, Greater Eagle Fire Protection District, Gypsum Fire Protection District, Vail Mountain Rescue, Vail Public Safety Communication Center, Eagle County Paramedic Services, Routt County Search and Rescue and the Army National Guard responded to the northeast corner of our county on a report of a missing child.
Sadly, the search ended tragically. I would like to commend all those involved in this search for their professionalism and compassion. They did everything humanly possible in a effort to locate this little boy.
No family or first responders should ever have to face the shock of losing a child to accidents like this. I would like to remind all parents — actually, I would plead with all parents of young children — to keep a watchful eye when your children are near water, especially swift moving rivers and streams. A sudden distraction, laps of caution, or not knowing the potential danger can, in an instant, create a situation that many times has a horrific ending.
All of us want our children to have a fun-filled summer vacation. A little precautionary chat with our kids will go a long way to making that happen.
Joseph D. Hoy
Support Local Journalism
Eagle County Sheriff