Events Calendar
In This Section
Hobo union picks Akron for national convention
'Docs Who Rock' delivers excitement
Cuyahoga Valley volunteer center to be dedicated
Tell us your ornament memories
Two remarkable people enter centennial spotlight
Holiday airfares near '08 rates, keep climbing
Older adults can take steps to prevent abuse by their relatives and hucksters
Most Read Stories
Unusual sports bar to be sold at auction
Motorcyclist killed, wife injured in Stark County crash
Family found dead in Ohio home
Man says he was punched, robbed by 3 people in parking lot
Man gets 3 years in prison for having sex with horse
Bank helps more save their homes
Circle K on Brown Street robbed
Woman says clinic refused to help her get pregnant because she's not married
Blogs:
Pets:
Cats are trainable — and that's not a punchline
The Heldenfiles:
Monday Notebook
Patrick McManamon:
Time for Kokinis, Browns to agree and part ways
Akron Zips:
Zips tip off tomorrow
Tribe Matters:
Indians announce spring dates
Cleveland Browns:
Mangini doesn't name a quarterback
Kent State Sports:
KSU Notes – November 9
Cleveland Cavaliers:
Shaq: It’s All About Winning Championships
Buckeye Blogging:
Weekly ‘B’ Deck Report – New Mexico St.
Varsity Letters:
Walsh Jesuit’s Caponi commits to Duquesne
All Da King's Men:
If It Looks Like Islamic Terrorism…
Blog of Mass Destruction:
Dems Message To Women: Don't Enjoy The Sex
Akron Law Café:
Abortion Analogies
See Jane Style:
Muffle Your Muffler
Car Chase:
Clock Tender- Extending the Life of Collector Car Clocks
Let's Talk Real Estate:
Rumors: Akron Starbucks Closing
Ohio Travels with Betty:
Jack is looking for a trip to Southern Ohio the week of November 16.
Sound Check:
The Black Keys to perform benefit concert at Musica on November 27
HRLite House:
Personal Rant – Why People Do Not Live in Northeast Ohio
Akron Gamer:
New 'Call of Duty' could set entertainment record
Mail carrier dries off and finishes his rounds
By Kathy Antoniotti
Beacon Journal staff writer
Published on Thursday, Jul 17, 2008
It's been more than 30 years since Keith McVey used the lifesaving skills he learned as a Boy Scout, but the letter carrier didn't let that stop him from jumping into Nesmith Lake to rescue a young girl Tuesday afternoon.
And like any dedicated letter carrier, after the good deed was done, he finished his route. Then, he finished a second one.
''If someone hadn't called to tell us, we wouldn't have known anything about it,'' said Memory Valentine, supervisor of customer service for the Kenmore post office.
McVey was delivering mail to boxes at King Apartments on Carnegie Avenue — just as he's done for more than 20 years — when he heard someone calling for help.
''I had my back to the water when I heard someone screaming,'' said McVey, of Barberton.
He turned around and saw a girl about 25 yards out in the water holding onto a ball, struggling and trying to stay
afloat.
She was shouting, ''Please, please help me. I can't swim,'' McVey said. Her younger sister, who was on the shore was also screaming, he said.
''I took my cell phone and wallet out of my pockets and whipped off my shoes and jumped in,'' McVey said.
McVey said the girl appeared to be about 11 or 12 years old.
When McVey reached her, the water was well over his head. She grabbed him and they both went under.
''I hope this goes according to plan,'' McVey said he remembers saying to himself.
McVey said he felt each of his 51 years by the time he got the girl to shore, when he heard applause from people who witnessed the rescue from the balconies of their apartments.
He said he doesn't know the identity of the youngster he saved.
''The woman watching the girls gave me a hug and was very thankful,'' McVey said.
McVey said he dried off with a towel someone handed him.
''As quickly as I got her out of there, they were gone,'' he said.
Rich Levers, head of leasing and maintenance for the apartment complex, said it was 20 minutes after the rescue before he spoke with the mailman.
''He was still soaking wet,'' Levers said.
The office staff made a sign that read ''Our Hero, Keith'' and placed it beside their outgoing mail on Wednesday.
Valentine said McVey never said a word about the rescue, didn't ask for help with his rounds and didn't ask for extra time to complete them.
''He saved this little girl's life and made up his time,'' she said. ''It's not the least out of his character.''
Kathy Antoniotti can be reached at 330-996-3565 or kantoniotti@thebeaconjournal.com.
It's been more than 30 years since Keith McVey used the lifesaving skills he learned as a Boy Scout, but the letter carrier didn't let that stop him from jumping into Nesmith Lake to rescue a young girl Tuesday afternoon.
Get the full article here.
Comments
Click here to post your comments
