Leah Berenson

Leah Berenson

July 17, 2024

15-Yr-Old Gives His Life To Save His Little Brother From Drowning

Lex Brown heroically passed after saving his 9- year-old brother from drowning. The 15-year-old hero is remembered for his loving soul and being family-oriented. His tragic passing reminds parents to be careful with their children around large bodies of water. 

Teen Dies of Drowning

Teen boy makes silly face. Grass, cars, and trees in the background.
Image Credit: GoFundMe

Lex and his little brother were playing in the Wabash River in Indiana. Suddenly, Lex’s brother was swept away by the current, and Lex jumped in after him without a second thought. Lex was able to push his brother to safety. However, the teen was taken away with the current and passed away from drowning.

Read More: ‘So rude’: Mom’s crazy demands to stranger offering free swimming lessons

Honoring the Teen’s Memory

People standing together as a blue casket is loaded into the back of a blue truck. White outside of a home in the background.
Image Credit: TikTok

 A vigil was held in his honor. “Everything with Lex was family-oriented,” declared Principal Simpson at Dugger Union. “Whenever he was asked about what his hobbies were, he was either going fishing with his little brother or teaching his little brother how to do this or that. His plan after high school was to own his own shop so he could work with his mom.” 

Loved By Many

A blue truck with a coffin the back, Bushes, homes, and street in the background.
Image Credit: TikTok

Meanwhile, his best friend’s brother shared a loving tribute on social media. “Lex was 15 yr old, full of life, and taking on every day with a smile and all kinds of jokes,” He wrote. “He was my brother’s best friend. He will be missed.” A family friend started a GoFundMe page to cover funeral costs but closed it on July 6, 2024, as the goal had been reached. 

Drowning is Preventable

Kids Swimming Underwater in a Pool
Credit: Pexels

According to the CDC, “more children between the ages of 1-4 die from drowning than any other cause of death.” Meanwhile, it’s the second leading cause of injury in children ages 5-9. It can also happen in seconds and is rarely loud or obvious. Lex’s tragic and heroic story not only shows the goodness in the heart of a teen lost too soon. It also reminds parents that drowning is always a possibility and to take extra care with their children around water.

Read More: Family to donate organs of 4-year-old on life support after falling in swimming pool

Tips to Prevent Drowning

An image of a swimsuit test regarding drowning safety.
Image Credit: Akron Children’s

Some obvious ways to prevent drowning include building a barrier around pools or gates if there’s a lake, river, or creek in your backyard. Additionally, wearing lifejackets and ensuring to put them or floaties on your children is another great way to prevent drowning. Next, consider swim lessons as young as possible. Some places offer courses for infants as young as six months—lastly, the color of your child’s swimsuit matters.

Swimsuit Color Can Prevent Drowning

An image of a swimsuit test regarding drowning safety.
Image Credit: Akron Children’s

Alive Solutions ran a test using 14 swimsuits in various colors. The company specializes in aquatic safety and found certain colors better prevent drowning than others. Neon colors were among the easiest to spot in nearly every doby of water. However, neon pink was less effective in lakes and rivers than neon green or yellow. Alternatively, white and blue weren’t visible in any body of water, mainly as the water got deeper. While color matters significantly, so too does the pattern. For example, colorful or patterned swimsuits with contrasting colors stand out and prevent drowning. Meanwhile, dark-colored swimsuits often fade into the water compared to lighter or brightly-colored swimsuits.

Summer is a time for beach getaways, pool days, or an afternoon at the lake or river. While swimming is an excellent source of exercise and fun, it can be dangerous, if not fatal. As such, Lex’s story reminds parents to know how to prevent drowning and take every precaution.

Read More: ‘Don’t put a towel on kid’s shoulders’: Swimming instructor reminds parents of important pool safety tip

Sources

  1. Preventing Drowning. CDC
  2. Hero: 15-Yr-Old Gives His Life To Save His Little Brother From Drowning.Inspire More. Kelsey Bjork. July 8, 2024.
  3. What are the safest swimsuit colors?Akron Children’s. Lyndsey Frey. May 27, 2023.