A Maine dad drowned while trying to save his two daughters after they were swept into deep areas of a pond near the coast on Saturday, officials said.
Henry Brooks, 46, of Hope, dove into the water when he witnessed his 12- and 13-year-old daughters pulled into deep waters at the Seven Tree Pond in Union, according to the Maine Warden Service.
Initially, one of Brooks’ daughters had fallen into a deeper part of the pond near its confluence with a local river. The other daughter then sought to save her — but both were pulled out into an even deeper area.
Brooks and his 27-year-old son leaped in to rescue them. Only the son grabbed a life jacket, according to the warden service.
The son managed to save his sisters and bring them to a nearby dock. But he could not find his father when he looked back.
Game wardens and first responders searched the area on foot and by boat.
Henry Brooks, 46, dove into the water when his 12- and 13-year-old daughters were pulled into deep waters. Sarah Thompson / Penbaypilot.com
Brooks’ 27-year-old son saved the two girls but his father did not survive the rescue. Sarah Thompson / Penbaypilot.com
The father drowned at Seven Tree Pond in Union. Sarah Thompson / Penbaypilot.com
The Maine Warden Dive Team working to recover Brooks’ body. Sarah Thompson / Penbaypilot.com
Brooks’ body was recovered about 50 feet from the shore. Sarah Thompson / Penbaypilot.comThree Maine Warden Service divers found his body at about 7:30 p.m. Saturday. He was about 50 feet from the shore, the warden service said.
Authorities brought his children to PenBay Medical Center in nearby Rockport, where they stayed the night for observation.
With Post wires
