Editorial: Good Samaritans help out in flooding

Friday, July 6, 2001 | 9:42 a.m.

Too often today people turn away when someone needs help. But that certainly can't be said about Barry Kaiser and Eric Coons, who didn't let Wednesday evening's flash flooding stop them from rescuing a woman and her baby trapped in a pickup in the southwest part of the valley.

Kaiser and Coons made their way to the truck that was 75 yards away, wading through water that was more than 4 feet high. Coons busted out the window of the truck, which was half-covered by water, and Kaiser took the baby to safety on shore. Meanwhile, a Metro Police helicopter rescued Coons and the mother, who were waiting in the back of the truck.

We have come to expect that police officers and firefighters will risk their lives when other people are in jeopardy. Yet at the same time we don't frequently ask ourselves to make a similar sacrifice. Fortunately there are still extraordinary people around like Barry Kaiser and Eric Coons who will selflessly help others in dire straits.

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