An ex-Marine died while rescuing two teens trapped in a Texas dam. The brave soldier was able to successfully rescue the kids but was unable to save his own life.
Hundreds of mourners paid their respect with a candlelight vigil for the brave retired Marine who gave his life trying to save a couple of teenagers from drowning at a dam on the Medina River. Forty-three-year-old Retired Master Sgt. Rodney Buentello was visiting Bandera City Park with his family, reported the San Antonio Express News . However, when he saw the two youngsters in distress, the man bravely jumped in the strong current and pulled them out one by one, but he was unable to save himself.
U.S. Marine veteran identified as the Good Samaritan who drowned while rescuing teens trapped in Texas dam. https://t.co/gHjbf4LMqe
— Fox News (@FoxNews) June 10, 2016
The incident happened on Wednesday after a teenage girl tried to cross a dam on the Medina River. It is not immediately clear why the girl decided to walk across the dam during the strong current, but it soon became clear that it was too much for her. The girl was quickly swept away by the strong undertow. A youth who watched the girl taken by the strong current decided to save her and jumped in, but he too got caught in the raging waters.
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Buentello, who served three tours in Iraq and one in Afghanistan, then took charge of the situation. Without caring for his life, the soldier dove into the turbulent waters. He was able to get both teens out, but first responders could not get to the scene in time to rescue him, and he drowned, reported Fox News .
Bandera Marshal Will Dietrich later posted about the brave Marine on Facebook.
“Buentello went into the water and managed to save both of the teenagers, but he was dragged under and drowned before rescuers could reach him.”
https://www.facebook.com/banderamarshal/posts/976282759155088
The region where the incident occurred has become a deathtrap. Swollen waterways from recent incessant rains, as well as the subsequent flooding, had claimed the lives of nine U.S. soldiers last week. The soldiers were stationed at Fort Hood, Texas. They were travelling in a Light Medium Tactical Vehicle, which overturned at Owl Creek. Of the total 12 soldiers, three were rescued, but the rest were caught by the raging waters and drowned. The bodies of the soldiers were recovered after an extensive search that lasted three days, reported the Army Times .
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The two-time Purple Heart recipient recently worked as an instructional assistant at John Jay High School, where he graduated from in 1992, reported the Dallas News . Buentello is survived by his wife and three sons. A GoFundMe page has been set up to help his family in this time of crisis and need. So far, almost 700 people have donated more than $38,000.
The teenaged girl who decided to walk across the swollen dam will be charged for her irresponsible and dangerous act. She will be cited for violating a city ordinance by walking across the dam at the park about 45 miles northwest of San Antonio, confirmed Dietrich.
https://www.facebook.com/nathaniel.keller.92/posts/1563321260635766
According to local news channels , the Marine was just days away from 44th birthday. Those who knew him aren’t surprised with his actions, shared a close friend of the retired Marine and his family. Hundreds of people, including friends, loved ones, and strangers, attended the candlelight vigil at John Jay High School, reported KTSA.
[Photo by W. McDonough/Getty Images]
