A heroic act recently ended in tragedy when an Arizona teenager died after saving her younger siblings from drowning.
Phoenix girl Vaverlyn Dachbar was on a family trip to Lake Pleasant on Friday when her younger twin brother and sister reportedly waded out too deep and were pulled under the current while swimming. Seeing them struggle, Dachbar, who was only an average swimmer herself, didn't hesitate to take action.
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Without giving it a second thought, she jumped into the water. Though she managed to save the twins, she was unable to save herself. "She got them out but couldn't make it back," the victim's older sister Valerie Leethip told ABC 15.
A nearby witness, Jimmy Ogle, saw Dachbar fighting the current and tried to rescue her, but was unable to find her by the time he reached the spot in the water where he saw her struggling. A local county sheriff's dive team found her body later in the day.
According to her family, Dachbar was extremely protective of her younger siblings. She had also been planning on becoming a pediatrician so she could help other children. "Instead of rushing to find the adults, she went in after them because that's what she does," Leethip said.
What an absolutely heartbreaking tragedy. Not many people in this world are as selfless and courageous as Duchbar was, running into a dangerous situation and putting her own life at risk in an effort to save her loved ones. Just thinking that she died trying to rescue the younger brother and sister she loved so much brings tears to my eyes. I have no doubts she would have made a great pediatrician and even better adult one day. One thing's for sure–her astounding bravery is something the world will miss. My thoughts and prayers go out her entire family.
Image via ABC 15
