A leisurely float with friends nearly ends in tragedy.
On a hot summer afternoon, Abi Sherman and some friends decided to cool off by floating down the Snoqualmie River in Washington. Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, she had plenty of experience in rivers. This time, however, everything went wrong. Her tube got stuck on a stump and she slipped into the freezing cold water. Without a life jacket, she was unable to stay afloat in the fast-moving river and her friends were too far downstream to help. As she was tossed by rapids and smashed into rocks, a stranger came to her rescue.
We also talk with Peg Phillips, a boat safety expert, about what you can do to stay safe in and around the water.
Abi Sherman is now a high school special education teacher.
Hannah Hailee is a counselor with Meadow Counseling.
Peg Phillips is the executive director of the National Safe Boating Council.
For more about the series, check out https://www.onstar.com/podcast.