Daily Dad News

Helpful Strangers Rescue Father, Children From Icy Utah River

January 3, 2012

A Utah father avoided tragedy over the holiday weekend after an accident involving his children and a family friend, and it took the strength of eight brave men to avert what could have been devastating news at the start of 2012.

Roger Anderson, 46, and his two children, 9-year old Mia and 4-year old Baylor, were heading to a ski resort with playmate 9-year old Kenya Wildman when suddenly Anderson’s car skidded off a slick canyon road, submerging into an icy river. After freeing himself, Anderson’s fortunes quickly changed with the help of some quick thinking and helpful strangers.

“I was amazed at the people and the readiness of people to jump in and help,” an emotional Anderson said at a press conference in Logan, 80 miles north of Salt Lake City. “Without hesitation, they just did what they had to do. And that, for our family, made all the difference.” Anderson tried to free his children but struggled and ran out of air in the tense moments. Gathering himself, he was surrounded by men eager to help in any way they could.

The men were able to free the children, with some performing CPR on his unconscious children. A friend’s SUV served as a quick transport down the mountain before being met by paramedics who flew Mia and Baylor to a Salt Lake City hospital for hypothermia treatment; Kenya was also treated and released to her family.  Among the rescuers, former police officer Chris Willden was among them and one of the first to help.

Kenya’s father, Dennis, captured the gratitude of the Wildman and Anderson families succinctly by simply stating at the news conference that the rescuers, “literally brought our children home to us.”

Mia, Baylor and Kenya are all said to be healthy and playing just fine. 

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