STOP MISSOURI STATE FROM DROWNING CHILDREN ANNUALLY

On August 12, 2007, Izaiah Green, age fifteen of Harlem, New York, while visiting his family in North St. Louis, Missouri became the seventh drowning victim in the past two years to have lost his life in the Merrimac River in Castlewood State Park. According to news reports Izaiah died in "the same spot where five children died last year while on a church outing." Izaiahs uncle Jonathan Long nearly drowned trying to save his nephew who was only in waist deep water when he suddenly called for help. Jonathan described getting stuck in "a quick-sand like substance" as he got closer to Izaiah. The silty river bottom not only had him stuck but was actually pulling both he and Izaiah underwater. Observers formed a human chain and were able to save Jonathan after which, Izaiah could no longer be seen. Izaiahs family describes him as "an excellent swimmer". Rescue officials believe that Izaiah tried to remove his sandals by hand when he became further trapped and completely submerged underwater. After a two hour search Chief Vincent Loyal, Metro West Fire Chief stated to the press, "[Izaiah] was found in about twelve to fifteen feet of water, pretty close to where we've had pervious drowning events." The seemingly frustrated Chief added "We're having more of our share of unfortunate incidents in the Castlewood State Park area, and I hope that the State will direct some efforts to preventing those in the future. The Missouri State Department of Natural Recourses has some real issues that I believe they need to address," he concluded.

Currently there are no rules or laws against swimming in the Merrimack River. Apparently Lou Amighetti of Missouri State Water Patrol knows just how deadly the silty river bottom is as he stated to the press "You can get stuck in it very easily". Meanwhile according to news reports, Officials said, "That section of the river is extremely popular attracting more than 300 people each weekend." KMOV News reports that The State Water Patrol suggests, "Anyone who swims should wear a personal flotation device." However, there are no signs or any personnel appointed to enforce that suggestion. The park does however have a small caution sign, identical to signs you would find on any populated beach, reading, "CAUTION, SWIM AT YOUR OWN RISK ..." However, the Fire Chief says he wants some type of supervision for that stretch of the Merrimac River. At the very minimum, this petition is calling for significant action from the State in response to the Fire Chiefs public recommendation.

The people who have signed this petition believe that after six people died in one area in just two years, five of them being children that died together in the same tragedy, that significant measures should have been taken to prevent the "Death Trap" from striking a seventh time. Very simply, Izaiah Greens death could have and should have been prevented. This petition is demanding that Matt Blunt, Governor of Missouri, The Missouri State Department of Natural Resources and The State Water Patrol promptly acts on adapting the Fire Chiefs recommendation for supervision in that area, and to do whatever is further necessary in the interest of preventing avoidable deaths. Investigators need not to be "wondering how this can happen again" as Jeff Small, KSDK News reports. We believe enough is enough and the time for solutions is far overdue.

Whether you knew Izaiah Green or his family, or someone passed this story along to you, please include your thoughts on this tragedy when signing the online petition. Thank you.