Heroic Teen Swept Away in Australian Floodwaters After Saving Sibling
- Posted on January 12, 2011 at 7:09pm by
Meredith Jessup
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The city of Toowoomba has been hit with tsunami-like flooding as rushing waters continue to snake their way to the Australian coastline. One of the flood’s latest victims, a teenager named Jordan Rice, is being hailed as a hero after he urged rescuers to save his younger brother first, just moments before the raging waters swept him and his mother away.
Jordan, brother Blake and the boys’ mother, Donna, were caught in the rushing waters on Monday. When the family was forced to climb onto the roof of their car, a Good Samaritan managed to save 10-year-old Blake as Donna and Jordan, 13, tried to cling to a nearby tree.
According to Jordan’s father, the boy couldn’t swim. “(The truck driver) went to grab Jordan first, who said, ‘Save me brother’. I can only imagine the fear coursing through his body,” the boy’s father said.
Jordan’s story, as reported by the Herald Sun, is not just one of tragedy, but one that demonstrates the love of family. “He won’t go down with any fanfare or anything like that – I don’t think anyone will even wear a black armband for him – but he’s just the champion of all champions, a family hero,” Jordan’s dad said.
Donna, Jordan and Blake, 10, were just minutes away from picking up eldest child Chris at his house when the car became stuck near the intersection of James and Kitchener Sts in Toowoomba. The water was only up to the car wheels, but the engine stopped.
Ms Rice could only ring 000 because her mobile phone had run out of credit. The family was told to stay put and they climbed on to the roof of the car as the floodwaters rose. Mr Tyson said bystanders looked on until the semi-trailer driver wrapped some rope around himself and jumped in.
The truck driver rescued Blake, 10, first at Jordan’s direction. The rope broke as he went back to get Jordan and Donna, forcing the pair to cling to a tree.
“Jordan was swept off,” Mr Tyson said. “As soon as he went, Donna just let go, you know trying to clutch at him. “The poor little bugger, they just both drowned.”
According to Mr. Tyson, it hadn’t been raining hard when the trio left their house, but he nevertheless warned them to be careful. “I said to her, ‘You be careful in the rain’ but not for one instant if I thought there was any sort of risk would I ever have let her go by herself. I wouldn’t have even let her go.”
Tyson and his wife were married for 30 years. Though he‘s grateful for Blake’s survival, losing his wife and son has left him devastated. “I don‘t even know where I’m going to start,” he said.
Thousands of families are suffering through Australia’s unrelenting floods which have left nearly 9,000 homes flooded with dozens of people missing:
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Bob_R_OathKeeper
Posted on January 13, 2011 at 9:47pmSuch a brave courageous boy, he’s certainly in Heaven. Prayers sent.
Report Post »Liberty7
Posted on January 13, 2011 at 8:55amAs I wipe the tears from my eyes, I pray for this family and all the others who have lost loved ones. God Bless You.
Report Post »BrightLightNCali
Posted on January 13, 2011 at 1:16amThis is so sad and so tragic. My heart is broken for this poor family and for all the families that have lost so much. Having three boys of my own I understand his heart to help his little bro. We are praying for all the victims of this horrific flooding and for this young man who showed courage, valor and bravery in the face of death.
Report Post »pamela kay
Posted on January 13, 2011 at 12:27amThis story brought me to tears. What a brave and loving young man . I understand the mother’s grief and would have done the same. The 10 yr old was safe and the older boy knew the risk, and courageously took care of his brother. As a mother the pride and love for the older boys sacrifice would have made me join him regardless of the outcome. God bless this family and may the younger brother feel comfort and pride in the bravery and deep love that both the older child and his mother had . At least they will be together and the remaining brother and father will have each other. My heart and prayers go out to them and all the people in Australia at this time.
Report Post »Masamune
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 11:31pmA truly noble sacrifice on the brother’s part. God bless this family and everyone else suffering from this tragedy.
Report Post »timber wolf
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 10:52pmLord I lift up all in prayer who are going through this deadly flood, may you help those who are in harms way and comfort those who have lost loved ones.
Report Post »In Jesus name, Amen
DVT
Posted on January 13, 2011 at 5:33amAmen!
Report Post »kkfedup
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 9:52pmMy heart breakes for this family and for all who are suffering in Australia. May God’s strength and comfort be with the father and son as they walk through this life without their loved ones. My prayers are with all who are suffering during this tragedy.
Report Post »210Texas
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 9:46pmAny coordinated efforts to help the victims (besides the Red Cross)? We help everybody else, why not the people Down Under – because that’s what they are right now!
Report Post »ChiRho4Life
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 9:35pmA man has no greater love than this: to give his life for his friends.
Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
3 true heroes.
Report Post »dontbotherme
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 9:05pmOh my heart breaks so for this family & these people. God be with them all.
Report Post »Chilloften
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 8:42pmTears
Report Post »S_Malc13
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 8:04pmHate hearing stuff like this. A young child made the decision of an adult and was lost in the process. Hard to imagine.
Report Post »sing it out
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 7:53pmTruly tragic. What a brave thing for the brother to do.
Report Post »Jeff
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 7:36pmPoor Family, may God bless them with reunion in the hands of a pleasant afterlife! The true measure of a hero isn’t doing what is right with courage, it‘s doing what’s right regardless of fear.
Report Post »tbb
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 7:34pmMy heart and prayers go out to all those who are suffering with all this turmoil going on.
Report Post »ladyda
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 7:34pmHow horrible. Dear Lord please be with these people.
Report Post »Rn mom
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 7:33pmI am going to pray for this family and all of Australia tonight.
Report Post »TX Progressive
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 8:29pmI am not a very religious person, can you put a good word in for the family from me too?
Report Post »Psychosis
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 8:35pm@ texprogressive…………..you can put in the word yourself…………he doesnt mind , if you havent talked to him before, and your words will be received in the same manner as ours how bout you give it a try…..its quite painless
Report Post »KT37
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 7:28pmEveryone that went thru this horrible tragedy is in my prayers…
Report Post »Andrew from Down Under
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 9:43pmThank you. Our country needs all the thoughts and prayers it can get today, and in the weeks to come. And likewise let me offer my prayers to the American people over the Tuscon shooting. These two tragedies that have befallen both our great countries have been deeply saddening with the loss of life, and yet both have shown the resilience of both our peoples! We share a bond few others do, whether in war or peace, and I do believe that when Glenn says he has hope for America, I believe Australia will be there right by your side! I went to Mass this morning, in part to pray for my fellow countrymen, and in spite of me already donating, I will do so again!
Report Post »BlueStarMom
Posted on January 13, 2011 at 7:18pmDittos. AndrewFromDownUnder, thank you for such a heartfelt post. I find it amazing that Glenn is touching hearts in Australia.God is certainly at work in the world. I do believe our country is turning to God in our distress. I pray yours will as well. As you say, we need each other. Know that we care deeply for the situation there. You are all in our prayers, especially this poor family..
Report Post »Xcori8r
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 7:27pmAll the rules change when sudden floods occur. What may look like harmless puddles or surface watter can hide a dangerous dip in the road that change the dynamics of driving in seconds. One moment everythings normal and the next you are traveling sideways into even deeper and more dangerous water. It’s gotten really nasty down there.
Report Post »Via Dolorosa
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 7:17pmPraying for this husband’s family – I cannot imagine the grief he will now
go through.
May God bless all of the flood victims.
Report Post »DagneyT
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 7:37pmJust saw this on Fox News. God bless his soul! He’s warm in the arms of the Lord.
Report Post »lovenfl3
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 7:44pmVery sad.
Report Post »cnsrvtvj
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 7:47pmMy thoughts and prayers to the family.
Report Post »nothingbuthetruth
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 7:53pmPrayers from my family in America to your family.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on January 12, 2011 at 7:54pmGod Bless this family and help them in this difficult time. Prayers go out to both those lost and those left behind.
Report Post »exdem
Posted on January 13, 2011 at 8:52pmBiblical Proportions
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