After Michael Grady saw his 12-year-old son Austin get trapped Sunday in the swirling white-water of North Carolina's Cullasaja River, the Maitland accountant quickly must have added up the tremendous risks of his jumping in after the child to save him.
And just as quickly discarded them. Because Mr. Grady, about whom it was said there's no better family man, charged into the water. And then for 10, 20, 30 or more aching minutes, he struggled to free his son who, like Mr. Grady, had become wedged in holes between rocks as the current bore down on them.
Mr. Grady, with the help of other heroes, saved his son. Then Mr. Grady died in the Cullasaja, before other good hearts could save him.
Last week some famous people passed, and got heroes' send-offs, including an entertainer who once dangled his child off a balcony for paparazzi. Maitland's Michael Grady — Boy Scout troop leader, churchgoer, family man — died saving his son.
