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Teen Girl Dies After Jumping Into Icy River to Save Her Little Brother

Mar. 16, 2013 2:08pm Madeleine Morgenstern

Image source: KSFY

Rescuers in South Dakota on Friday recovered the body of a 16-year-old girl who jumped into an icy river to save her 6-year-old brother.

The boy survived uninjured, but a man who also went into the freezing water to rescue him was still missing and presumed dead, KSFY-TV reported.

Madison Wallace jumped into the Big Sioux River on Thursday night after her brother, Garrett, was climbing on some rocks at the river’s edge and slipped. Lyle Eagletail, 28, saw what happened and went into help them both, the Associated Press reported.

The boy was able to get out, though it wasn’t clear precisely how — whether he was pushed out of the water or made it out another way.

“These people literally jumped in without thinking of their own safety and trying to rescue that child,” Sioux Falls Fire Chief Jim Sideras said. “It’s a very noble act that they did, and they probably contributed to saving that boy’s life.”

Bystanders who witnessed the accident told KSFY they tried to help the boy and his rescuers, including one who said he grabbed the man’s arm at one point.

“We had him. There were three of us that had him and he had a kid with him, but he just slipped man, he just slipped,” Napoleon Ducheneaus told the station.

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Comments (39)

Thundergod
Posted on March 17, 2013 at 6:12am
Its sad when heroism ends this way. I hope that little boy remembers them and doesnt waste the life others sacrificed to preserve. I hope he doesnt wallow in guilt at their loss,but instead uses his life to honor these heroes. Keep them in your heart knowing that angels watch over you.

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- OneTermPresident
  Posted on March 18, 2013 at 12:04pm
  I hope he goes on to become a Lifeguard and later a Doctor or EMT.
  
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SilentReader
Posted on March 17, 2013 at 12:18am
So sad! RIP heroes!

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snowflake220
Posted on March 16, 2013 at 11:04pm
facebook page set up for Madison Wallace

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Madison-Wallace-Family-Fund/151106521720919

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snowflake220
Posted on March 16, 2013 at 10:41pm
Sioux Falls has had a lot of sadness the past few weeks. Just last week a family of 4 was killed just West of Sioux Falls on I-90. A young college student lost her mother, father, 16 year old sister and 14 year old brother in a car accident. She was at college in Iowa when the accident happened. Then just a few days ago a young couple both 39 with children (not in car) lost their lives in a car accident just outside of Sioux Falls while turning into a Casino. So much sadness. I pray for all these familes.

http://www.keloland.com/news/

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SingerGuy
Posted on March 16, 2013 at 7:04pm
Before they moved to Vermillion, SD, Madison’s family used to live a couple of blocks from me and we attended the same LDS Ward. My wife was one of her young women leaders. This is hitting our church family very close to home. When there was no time to think about the possible consequences she acted without hesitation and with selfless determination, focused only on saving her brother.

I understand that someone has suggested changing the name of this park in a way that will honor Madison Wallace and Lyle Eagletail and think this would be a wonderful way to pay tribute to their ultimate sacrifice. May others learn from their example!

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- SingerGuy
  Posted on March 16, 2013 at 7:08pm
  https://www.facebook.com/LyleEagleTailandMadisonWallaceMemorialFallsPark
  
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S.D.BORN
Posted on March 16, 2013 at 6:09pm
Update: Eagletail’s body was recovered mid-afternoon Saturday. Very tragic story. More information on Madison can be seen at a new Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Madison-Wallace-Family-Fund/151106521720919

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fastgunslinger
Posted on March 16, 2013 at 5:12pm
this is the meaning of a hero

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- rickc34
  Posted on March 16, 2013 at 5:27pm
  No greater gift than to sacrifice ones self for another, true love and courage.
  
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- OlefromMN
  Posted on March 16, 2013 at 5:41pm
  True devotion in the aid of others. She does fit the ultimate description of Hero. God has called up another reinforcement. My prayers are with the families that have lost their loved ones.
  
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COFemale
Posted on March 16, 2013 at 3:52pm
God rest their souls. RIP

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- Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
  Posted on March 16, 2013 at 4:03pm
  Amen.
  
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- aproudinfidel
  Posted on March 16, 2013 at 4:06pm
  Amen. RIP, sheepdogs.
  
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- The-Monk
  Posted on March 16, 2013 at 4:11pm
  @aproudinfidel
  “Amen. RIP, sheepdogs.”
  
  Care to elaborate on that “sheepdogs” part?
  
  Report this comment
- crusaderx9
  Posted on March 16, 2013 at 4:26pm
  The-Monk, it is an honorable reference.
  =======
  
  “Then there are the WOLVES,” the old war veteran said, “and the wolves feed on the sheep without mercy.” Do you believe there are wolves out there who will feed on the flock without mercy? You better believe it. There are evil men in this world and they are capable of evil deeds. The moment you forget that or pretend it is not so, you become a sheep. There is no safety in denial.
  
  “Then there are SHEEPDOGS,” he went on, “and I’m a sheepdog. I live to protect the flock and confront the wolf.” Or, as a sign in one California law enforcement agency put it, “We intimidate those who intimidate others.”
  
  If you have no capacity for violence then you are a healthy productive citizen: a SHEEP. If you have a capacity for violence and no empathy for your fellow citizens, then you have defined an aggressive sociopath – a wolf. But what if you have a capacity for violence, and a deep love for your fellow citizens? Then you are a sheepdog, a warrior, someone who is walking the hero’s path. Someone who can walk into the heart of darkness, into the universal human phobia, and walk out unscathed.
  
  Read more: http://sofrep.com/15278/sheep-wolves-sheepdogs/
  
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- marssnw
  Posted on March 16, 2013 at 4:52pm
  Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
  John 15:13
  
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- The-Monk
  Posted on March 16, 2013 at 5:03pm
  Hi Crusaderx9,
  
  Why question had no tone to it; either positive or negative.
  
  I was merely asking since I had not heard it before. Thank you for the update. : )
  
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- The-Monk
  Posted on March 16, 2013 at 5:07pm
  Hi Crusaderx9,
  
  I come from the warrior group of Monks.
  
  Report this comment
- The-Monk
  Posted on March 16, 2013 at 5:08pm
  Edit;
  
  “My question” not “Why question”
  
  Report this comment
- crusaderx9
  Posted on March 16, 2013 at 5:15pm
  THE-MONK,
  
  I understand you didn’t have a positive or negative tone – I was just helping out.
  :- )
  
  Report this comment
- The-Monk
  Posted on March 16, 2013 at 5:36pm
  Hi Crusaderx9,
  
  Thank you. : )
  
  Report this comment
neverending
Posted on March 16, 2013 at 3:25pm
What a sad and horrible tragedy. Prayers for all involved, Tough, tough days ahead.

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Kisses6350
Posted on March 16, 2013 at 3:23pm
Prayers and Love to both Families. May God continuous to bless all involved.

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crusaderx9
Posted on March 16, 2013 at 3:03pm
Madison Wallace and Lyle Eagletail are true American HEROES. NO HESITATION, they simply acted to save someone in danger.

obama, hillary, petraeus, panetta — ALL COWARDS FOR NOT RESPONDING DURING THE BENGHAZI ATTACK AS FOUR AMERICANS DIED!

Then these cowards hid behind incoherent stories as they executed the cover up with the assistance of an equally politically motivated MSM.

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spirited
Posted on March 16, 2013 at 2:56pm
Whoa… so much sorrow
Condolences to the family, friends and community of Madison Wallace and Lyle Eagletail

Garrett live a wonderful life….and soar.

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The-Monk
Posted on March 16, 2013 at 2:50pm
Pray for the young lad, that he doesn’t blame himself and fill his mind with guilt.

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- searching for the Truth
  Posted on March 16, 2013 at 2:59pm
  Yes.
  
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searching for the Truth
Posted on March 16, 2013 at 2:46pm
” Nothing greater can be done than to give their life for another ” King James and Jesus. This , I pray with a contrite heart.

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- John655
  Posted on March 16, 2013 at 3:24pm
  John 15:13 No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friend.
  
  I pray with you. May God bless them and may they rest in peace in Jesus’s arms.
  
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- DexterMorgan
  Posted on March 16, 2013 at 4:10pm
  Whoever saves one life,saves the world entire.
  
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dannyo
Posted on March 16, 2013 at 2:36pm
selfless souls…rare these days…prayers out to everyone involved and their families…

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1stKENTUCKYREGULAR
Posted on March 16, 2013 at 2:33pm
A true American hero

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momrules
Posted on March 16, 2013 at 2:30pm
Just too sad for words. God bless them all.

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IMCHRISTIAN
Posted on March 16, 2013 at 2:29pm
My heart and prayers goes out to the girls friends and relatives and also for the man that was there who may also have given up his live for another. They are truly blessed in our and God’s sight.

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- IMCHRISTIAN
  Posted on March 16, 2013 at 2:50pm
  corr ……life not live
  
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The-Monk
Posted on March 16, 2013 at 2:24pm
I live my life in widening rings
which spread over earth and sky.
I may not ever complete the last one,
but that is what I will try.

I circle around God’s primordial tower,
and I circle ten thousand years long;
And I still don’t know if I’m a falcon,
a storm, or an unfinished song.

Rainer Maria Rilke

God Bless those wonderful Souls….

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Z
Posted on March 16, 2013 at 2:18pm
That’s love.

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Southernsoul
Posted on March 16, 2013 at 2:12pm
Dead heroes are the saddest loss.

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