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Date: June 30, 2009
Contact: Eric Leonard, 580 622-7282

Monday, June 29, 2009 at approximately 5:15 p.m. a group swimming in a stream near Veterans Lake in the Chickasaw National Recreation Area reported that an eight-year old child was having difficulty swimming. Gregory Barker, a thirty-two year old male from Shawnee, Oklahoma went in to assist the child and encountered difficulty while saving her life. Bystanders and other park visitors pulled the man from the water. CPR was begun when emergency personnel arrived. Murray County EMS transported the man to Arbuckle Memorial Hospital where hospital staff pronounced him dead shortly after arrival at the hospital. The girl whose life was saved was treated and released. Alcohol use is not suspected to be a factor in this incident.

Agencies responding to the incident were the National Park Service, Murray County Sheriff’s Department, Murray County Emergency Services, Sulphur Fire Department, Sulphur Police Department, Chickasaw Lighthorse Police and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.

This incident underscores the importance of the water safety rescue sequence: reach, throw, row, don't go. Most people drown within 10 to 30 feet of safety. Remembering these few simple techniques to help someone in trouble and keep yourself safe.

• Reach: To help someone in the water, reach first with a fishing pole, towel, boat oar, but don't get in the water yourself.
• Throw: Scan your area for items such as an empty milk jug, cooler, or ring buoys that can be thrown to someone in the water.
• Row: It's not safe to go near a swimmer with the boat motor running. Use the oars to bring the boat close enough to reach or throw.
• Don't Go: Without expert training and experience in lifesaving techniques, you could put yourself in danger along with the person you are trying to help.