A distraught father had to make the hardest decision of his life – choosing to save the life of his drowning wife over his son, who was trapped in a submerged car.
Silva Natana Horton, 13, drowned in the Whanganui River on Saturday night after the car in which he was a front-seat passenger went off Somme Pde and cartwheeled down a steep 10-metre bank into the water about 9.45pm.
His mother, Vanessa Horton, who was driving, Silva's best friend, Robert Palmer, 14, and the family dog escaped with minor injuries.
Silva's father, Stacy Horton, arrived from their home in nearby Stewart St less than two minutes after the crash to hear his wife screaming in the darkness and to see Robert and the dog scrambling up the bank.
He clambered down and saw his wife in the water. He tried to dive down to their Mazda MPV stationwagon, which was nose down, more than a metre beneath the surface.
Silva Horton
"I tried to get down and get him but I couldn't, it was just too deep. And Vanessa was going under," Mr Horton said.
"I made a call to pull my wife to safety. I looked back and I could see the tail-lights but it was too far and I couldn't get him.
"I just had to accept the fact that he had gone.
"Instead of going down and risking my life as well as my wife and son's, I chose to take V back and sat on the shore praying. It was all I could do."
When emergency services arrived minutes later, police also dived in, with two firefighters using breathing apparatus – a full face-mask with oxygen tank backpacks normally used in smoke-filled buildings – to try to reach Silva.
Wanganui senior station officer Gary Wilson said the water was dark and murky and the firefighters struggled to reach the car.
"We tried everything but to no avail. It was a longshot but it was worth the risk to try and save him."
Mr Horton said the family had been at home when a group of kids was heard wrecking their letterbox.
The group ran off and his wife, Silva and Robert quickly followed them in the car.
As Mrs Horton slowly pulled over to talk to the group by the riverbank, the car "kept going" on the grass.
"I do know my son was unconscious when he drowned [after hitting his head on the dash]. It's just a freak accident. We can't blame anyone.
"I've forgiven the kids who were wrecking our letterbox," Mr Horton said.
"My wife is emotionally distraught and drained, like I am."
Divers recovered Silva's body early yesterday. His funeral will be held in Taihape.
Mr Horton said Silva was an outgoing boy, who liked to spin a yarn, and was a budding moto-cross rider who won his age grade competition in Wanganui this year.
Comment by Vanessa Lewis on December 7, 2009 at 7:42pm
THIS IS VERY SAD, I WOULD NOT LIKE TO BE PLACED IN THAT SITUATION. I GUESS ONLY AT THAT TIME YOU WOULD KNOW WHO TO CHOOSE.
Comment by christina on December 7, 2009 at 2:27pm
wow thats crazy....thats a very hard decision to make tho....but he didnt just choose to save his wife first, it was the fact that he could reach to her and the son was way too far..so if he could help her then why not....it wouldnt really make no sence he tried saving the boy ....cas then you would probably hear that both mother father and son died... so alteast he could save one......
This is a very sad story... A few variables involved. They were chasing some mischievous kids and such a sad situation ended up happening as a result. At this point it isn't even about forgiveness of those kids but living and moving past losing a child. I don't think there is no right or wrong answer. As a few of you have said, one would have to be in that situation. The man made a conscientious decision. All three could have died in this accident. May the good Lord be with them in this tough time of mourning and loss. I know there may be some feelings of guilt once the dust settles.
Comment by cookie719 on December 5, 2009 at 3:48pm
OMGosh, some of you people must not have a heart, only someone in the heat of the moment know what they can do, who are you to judge him??? You people can say what you want but if you were in his situation only God knows what you have done!
Ideally save both if you can. I have to agree with Candace A's comment. Again, some folks engage mouth before thinking. Give me the lotto numbers if you know so much about things that happened when you were not present. Therefore, if one believes or not what was said does not change what has happened.
Nothing but compassion for the survivors and their loved ones is order.
Something to ponder....Question for all... if given the choice of saving your MOTHER or your SPOUSE..who will you save? and why?.....as for the couple in the story...let's keep in mind this was a decision made in a split second... therefore one will tend to save the one who means the most to them.... don't you think...I will most likely have saved my son....because..my wife can become my XX ..overnight.. my son will be my son for life..
Comment by SERIOUSWOMAN on December 2, 2009 at 10:09am
I DON'T BELIEVE THEM ....THERE IS MORE TO THIS STORY THAT IS NOT BEING SAID TAKE A CLOSER LOOK INTO THEIR FACES ...THEY LOOK DOWN ALOT.. THEY ARE KEEPING SOMETHING SECERT, ALSO THE ARE FORCING THEMSELVES TO GET EMOTIONAL/CRY.......TO EACH ITS OWN AND I DON'T FULLY BELIEVE THEIR STORY.
mr.redda I SO ASHAMED YOUR MOTHER S*** YOU OUT SO FAR FROM A SCHOOL IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO plain and simple he couldnt save the boy the guilt is on the mother what the hell she doing leading a posse against kids who vandalise her mail box she should be charged with neglect to minors endangering the safety of others and for being so reckless and stupid really
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