This uplifting story will cleanse your palate after the chaos of this week’s mass shooting and thwarted plan shooting.
The AP.
Corion Evans (16 years old) jumped in the river after seeing a vehicle drive past the I-10 boat launch. The driver of the vehicle said she was following her GPS and did not realize she was headed for the water’s edge, according to a Moss Point Police Department news release Wednesday.
WLOX TV in Mississippi interviewed Evans about the rescue.
“I was just like, ‘I can’t let none of these folks die. They need to get out the water,’” Evans, a Pascagoula High School student, told Biloxi, Mississippi, ABC affiliate WLOX. “So, I just started getting them. I wasn’t even thinking about nothing else.”
Evans and one of his friends, Karon ″KJ″ Bradley, jumped in and helped get the teenagers inside the vehicle onto the roof.
“I was behind them trying to keep them above water and swim with them at the same time,” Evans told the station.
The Pascagoula River, which measures 80 miles in length and covers 8,800 sq. miles, is the longest undammed river within the contiguous 48 US states. Considered an “ecological jewel,” it is currently being threatened by developers building tributary dams to supposedly combat climate change. The dams never cease, but this is a tale for another day.
Gary Mercer, a Moss Point Police Officer arrived to assist Evans. He was already performing the rescue. Mercer jumped in the river with one teenager to help. Officer Mercer was pulled under the water by the panicked girl.
“I turned around. The police officer is there. He’s drowning. He’s going underwater, drowning, saying, ‘Help!’” Evans told WLOX. “So, I went over there. I went and I grabbed the police officer and I’m like swimming him back until I feel myself I can walk.”
Evans came to Officer Mercer’s, then the girl’s aid and helped them both reach the shore.
“If Mr. Evans had not assisted, the situation could have turned out differently, instead of all occupants being rescued safely,” said Moss Point Chief of Police Brandon Ashley.
Corion Evans’ heroism has not gone unrecognized by the community. Moss Point officials awarded him a certificate of commendation on Tuesday to recognize his courage and heroism when rescuing four victims from certain death in the water.
This young man’s proud mom was relieved to see her son survive. She also appreciated the fact that he took responsibility for saving lives.
“I’m glad nothing happened to him while he was trying to save other people’s lives,” Marquita Evans told WLOX. “I was really proud of Corion because he wasn’t just thinking about himself. He was trying to really get all those people out the water.”
The news outlet reported that Evans had been swimming since the age of three and was not afraid to jump in the river.
“Twenty-five yards out, so it was a lot of swimming. My legs were so tired after,” he told the station. “Anything could’ve been in that water, though. But I wasn’t thinking about it.”
While we were talking about the Highland Park tragedy with one of our readers, he said this:
I would never defend any of these shooters, but it’s sad that in this great country of opportunity that young men can become so terribly twisted. Although I am sure the answers are complex and complicated, I believe we can find them.
I responded to him that it really isn’t complicated or complex. The Left and society, as well as the power structures that seek to kill our young women and men, want it to be that way. I outlined three potential solutions that I believe could make a difference in the outcome of our young men, and I feel like Corion Evans’ heroism bears this out.
- STOP THE DRUGS. Especially during the formative years: The Ritalin, the anti-depressants, the mood-altering drugs to control supposed “behavioral” issues. These issues were most commonly diagnosed in boys. It is hard to believe that Bobby Crimo was ever born.
- MORAL GROUNDING. A moral center is required before you jump into a river in order to help others. That just doesn’t come by happenstance. Marquita Evans instilled this trait in her son, which served him well during the clutch.
- PHYSICAL FITNESS. Corion Evans doesn’t just lie on his sofa and watch video games. His physical strength allowed him to think clearly and execute a plan that saved four lives.
I love the “Coach Taylor” speech from the television show, Friday Night Lights, and his tag line: “Clear eyes, full hearts. Can’t lose.”
Corion Evans is a perfect example of all three. Because of Corion Evans, a police officer and three teenager girls can still see the future.
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