Local youth rescued in NH
Published on August 13th, 2003
STONEHAM, MA - Three Stoneham adolescents swept away by a flooded New Hampshire river narrowly escaped drowning last Sunday. None of the victims were seriously injured.
According to North Woodstock Fire Chief Bill Mellett, 13-year-old Stoneham residents Zack Daly, Michael Tecce and Derek Butts were swept away by white waters along the Pemigewasset River after the youths attempted to tube down the rain swollen waterway.
"The river was at flood stage and for some reason they decided to put tubes in the river and they got caught in the current…It was mean business. It was all white water," commented Mellett, who added that kayak businesses along the normally tame river had closed due to the dangerous nature of the white waters.
While two of the Stoneham youths were able to get to the river’s banks with the assistance of some bystanders, Butts was pushed further downstream. Clinging for his life onto a rock, the youth waited for over a half-hour as rescue officials cut down the area’s overgrown brush in an attempt to get to the youth.
"He held his composure and he just stayed there. He wouldn’t leave the rock and that saved him. He was shaken up of course, but he just held on," said William Butts, the Stoneham adolescent’s father.
Because fire officials had reported to the scene nearly an hour earlier to save three other Massachusetts youths from Hanover and Weymouth who had also been swept away by the river, a rescue helicopter in the vicinity was able to secure a rope around Butts until the emergency responders could get to the youth, according to the boy’s father. Once through the brush, officials were able to pull the youth to safety and he was subsequently treated for dehydration, a few minor rope burns, and hypothermia.
"It’s a real miracle that people were there to help them," said Mellett of the good-fortuned rescue attempt. "I was surprised that all six of them didn’t drown," Mellett added, referring to the six Massachusetts teens saved from the wild waters that day.
According to Butts’ father, his son traveled to North Woodstock with his friend’s parents for a week’s vacation in the area. Although his son was initially shaken up by the incident, he later joked with his distraught chaperones about the incident.
"He’s a trooper. He asked the mother if they could go white water rafting the next day just to comfort her. I just want to thank the New Hampshire Fire Department for getting there to help my son. They were outstanding," said Butts.
While the teen’s parents were understandingly concerned about their son, they place no blame for the incident on his friend’s parents. In fact, after their son reassured his parents that he was feeling better, the Butts allowed Derek to remain with the family for the remainder of the week.
"I don’t hold them responsible at all. Absolutely not. This could have happened to anybody. They’re a well respected family and I could only imagine what she went through with my child," said the youth’s mother, Susan Butts of her child’s chaperone.
According to the town’s Fire Chief, a recent barrage of storms flooded the Pemigewasset River to the worst levels he’s seen in years.
"It doesn’t flood like that in August. It’s really unusual this time of year. It’s the highest it’s been the last couple of years. There were a lot of people watching the river because it was so high," said Mellett.
Subscribe and get Home Delivery of The Independent
Save 36% off the newstand price — that's like 18 FREE issues!