An 18-Year-Old Missouri Teen Sadly Passed Away After Heroically Saving His 4-Year-Old Brother From Drowning
On July 23, a teen from Oregon, Missouri, tragically lost his life while trying to save his four-year-old brother from drowning.
Eighteen-year-old Alex Harris and his little brother, Asher, had visited the Missouri River in Holt County to go for a swim amidst the scorching heat wave.
But, his little brother began to struggle to stay above water after getting caught in a current, and Alex jumped into action.
He held his brother above his head until his mom arrived and then began to drown. Nikki Harris, the boys’ mom, recalled the events in an interview with TODAY.
“I watched his hands let go, and he sank. I knew the exhaustion he was feeling. I tried so hard to get to him faster,” she said.
Alex’s passing has since weighed heavy on his family and the entire small-town community of Oregon.
But, he is also being remembered as a selfless big brother and hero.
“If it hadn’t been for Alex keeping Asher up until his mother got there, they would both be gone,” Tyson Harris, the boys’ father, began in a Facebook post.
Facebook; pictured above is Alex
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“I love you, son, and I wish every second I could take your place. You are a hero, son,” he continued.
The heartfelt tribute has touched the hearts of countless community members– gaining nearly three thousand likes, seven hundred shares, and over eight hundred comments.
“I am so very sorry for your family’s loss,” wrote one user. “What a brave young man he was, and you have been so blessed to have him in your lives.”
“My heart goes out to you all. He will always be with you in your hearts.”
“A hero he is. I am so sorry for your loss. You raised a son who became a hero– be proud of him and yourselves. You taught him well,” commented another.
Alex just graduated from high school earlier this year and had since been working for his family’s outfitter business. He loved hunting, making others laugh, and was a proud football player.
Alex’s former head football coach, Josh Petersen, described how his noble actions on July 23 spoke to the rest of his life on and off the field.
“That was Alex. Just someone that would help someone else out,” Peterson began.
“The widespread impact of what Alex did, who Alex was– even though he’s gone– he won’t be forgotten. I think that’s just a tremendous attribute to him,” he continued.
To share your condolences with the Harris family during this trying time, you can visit Tyson’s Facebook tribute post linked here.
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