PC: ARLnow
Three siblings aged 10, 12 and 13 helped rescue four teenagers from a sinking boat on Boone Lake in rural Tennessee after the vessel struck a rock and began taking on water. Because he was concerned about overloading the vessel, when they all tried to board at once, he explained that he could take only one person at a time.
“I couldn’t be prouder of my children,” she told ARLnow, crediting their courage, teamwork and willingness to help others. Declan, Cormac and Elsa Jackson were visiting their grandparents when they heard calls for help as storm clouds gathered. Declan and Elsa spotted the teenagers waving for assistance while fishing, prompting Declan to alert their grandparents. Cormac then took the family’s Pond Prowler fishing boat towards the stranded group, helping bring them to safety before a heavy thunderstorm struck the area. Cormac steered the family’s fishing boat towards the stranded teenagers. Laura Jackson explained that the accident happened far from shore, where reaching land by swimming would have required considerable strength. The rural location also meant emergency services took about half an hour to arrive. Laura Jackson praised her children for applying their scouting skills during the emergency. Declan is a Cub Scout, Cormac is a First Class Scout, and Elsa is a Life Scout in Boy Scouts and a Silver Award Girl Scout.