Charles Joseph Messa died after helping to save Joshua C. Hedrick and while attempting to save Alyssa C. Route from drowning, Lakewood, Colorado, May 27, 1985. Joshua and Alyssa, both 9, and a friend were fishing from a sand bar that jutted from the mouth of Bear Creek into Bear Creek Lake. A strong current in the creek undercut the sand bar, and it suddenly collapsed, throwing all three children into deep, frigid water of the lake. The friend’s father, Messa 41, engineering consultant, picked up a log and ran into the lake after the children. He swam out to Joshua, who was struggling to stay afloat, and gave him the log. Messa then dived repeatedly for Alyssa, who had submerged. The last time he surfaced he cried for help, then he disappeared. Joshua and Messa’s son were rescued by a canoeist. They were treated for hypothermic shock, and they recovered. Messa and Alyssa drowned. 60609-7032
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