Unsung Heroes: Kayaking Scouters Rescue Family from Drowning on Fast-Moving River
Demetriou and Frye saw four heads bobbing in the water — two girls and two boys - clinging to the oldest, the only child wearing a a life jacket. Demetriou and Frye proceeded to rescue their entire family out of the Wolf River that day.
Saved by the Jacket
As co-founders of the Memphis-based kayaking tour company Blues City Kayaks, Ande Demetriou and Paul Frye know how to guide beginners down the Wolf River. On a solo trip on June 6, 2020, the two friends had been paddling for about 20 miles when they heard a noise downriver.
Demetriou and Frye saw four heads bobbing in the water — two girls and two boys – clinging to the oldest, the only child wearing a a life jacket. Demetriou and Frye proceeded to rescue their entire family out of the Wolf River that day.
For the skillful, brave actions that followed, these two men — one a current Scouter and the other a former Scouter — received civilian awards from the Memphis Fire Department. On Dec. 14, they received their council’s Distinguished Service Award.
Source: blog.scoutingmagazine.org
