Father Hailed A Hero For Saving Boys From River
Published: August 23, 2006
A father who drowned in the South Platte River while trying to save his children Monday night was being called a hero.
It happened just north of West Union Avenue in Englewood near an area known as the “chutes”, which is notorious for dangerous current.
Dustin Vollert, 28, was swept away by that current after rescuing his two sons with the help of the family dog “Scooter.”
Brandon Vollert, 9, knows he’s alive because his dog Scooter jumped into the river and helped he and his 4-year-old brother escape the rushing current.
“That’s when I grabbed onto his collar and he was pulling us out,” said Brandon.
The two brothers and their friend, Jeremiah Adams, had been wading in 6-ft. deep water about 10 feet from shore.
Moments before the dog came to their rescue, Brandon’s father Dustin, had lost his footing after grabbing the boys and pushing them towards shore.
“He was the one who gave us the last push to let me get some footing to walk up,” said Adams. “Without him, I wouldn’t have been able to make it out.”
Seconds later, Dustin, who was described as an excellent swimmer, was swept away. His body was recovered about 100 yards away from the rapids.
“It was huge,” said Jeremiah. “We were 15 feet away from where the rapids run and they were still pulling really hard.”
Jeremiah said the three boys couldn’t move in the strong current and the dog must have sensed they were in danger.
“He had to, there was no other way, we couldn’t even call him or say anything,” Jeremiah said. “We were barely able to hold our breath, he had to know it.”
Jeremiah called Dustin a friend and father figure.
“He was a good man,” Jeremiah said. “He gave his life for us.”
“That’s the type of guy Dustin was,” said Mark McCoskey, a family friend. “He would definitely do that, I guarantee it.”
A memorial fund was set up to help the Vollert family. Contributions can be made at any U.S. Bank branch in the name of Dustin Vollert.
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