Horrid story with an amazing dog story ending. A jogger in Sarasota was killed by an idiot drunk driver. The dog the jogger was walking ran off after the crash and jumped into the Gulf of Mexico and swam up to a kayaker far from shore. The kayak was equipped with a video camera which captured the moment. The dog was rescued and is okay.
Hobie angler's video of dog rescue
The kayaker's name is Rory O'Conner.
More on the story HERE
Unreal story
Unreal story
35/34.5/26 24/22/1/1
I finally found Cow Creek. It's at the end of the Road to Nowhere!
I finally found Cow Creek. It's at the end of the Road to Nowhere!
Re: Unreal story
Terrible story, I can't believe it all happened so early in the afternoon. It's all very sad for her family. If I remember correctly, Rory is a member here. He's a transplant from WA state or Canada, some where North and far from here.
Good job Rory!
Good job Rory!
Mark .aka. Man of Purpose. Original Chincy Jones
Ultimate 14.5 sand & blue Indian River Outdoorsman.
The jig is up and weedless.
Ultimate 14.5 sand & blue Indian River Outdoorsman.
The jig is up and weedless.
Re: Unreal story
nope, shallow pockets is Steve M. GibsonSRQGator wrote:Is that ShallowPockets?
Over every mountain there is a path, although it may not be seen from the valley
Re: Unreal story
the_tall_man, you can recognize him by the avatar/video.SRQGator wrote:Is that ShallowPockets?
Wonder how he did fishing the gulf before the dog popped up..
Mark .aka. Man of Purpose. Original Chincy Jones
Ultimate 14.5 sand & blue Indian River Outdoorsman.
The jig is up and weedless.
Ultimate 14.5 sand & blue Indian River Outdoorsman.
The jig is up and weedless.
Re: Unreal story
I swear I saw that guy out fishing Friday. Nice fellow. And yup, I remember noticing how tall he was.
Senior Exalted Pro Staff Member of the Paddle-Fishing.com Kayak & Canoe Anglers Club
"SANCTUARY!!!"
Capitalization is the difference between helping your Uncle Jack off a horse, and helping your uncle jack off a horse.
"SANCTUARY!!!"
Capitalization is the difference between helping your Uncle Jack off a horse, and helping your uncle jack off a horse.
Re: Unreal story
That is just an amazing and tragic story. Amazing that he had his camera running to document all that. This story simultaneously tells how bad people can be and how very good others can be.
Being out on the water in the kayak is the prize. Catching fish is the bonus.
Steve
Steve
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- Posts: 48
- Joined: Sun Aug 14, 2011 10:42 am
Re: Unreal story
Way to go, Rory!
Two interesting sidenotes:
The Chen family (woman who was killed) are avid kayakers. Barney (the dog) probably headed
for the most familiar-looking thing he could find. And.....
Vizslas (amazing little dogs) were introduced into the U.S. in 1950 by a man named Frank....
get ready for it..... Tallman.
Two interesting sidenotes:
The Chen family (woman who was killed) are avid kayakers. Barney (the dog) probably headed
for the most familiar-looking thing he could find. And.....
Vizslas (amazing little dogs) were introduced into the U.S. in 1950 by a man named Frank....
get ready for it..... Tallman.
- the_tall_man
- Posts: 47
- Joined: Sat Nov 13, 2010 11:20 pm
- Location: Sarasota, FL
- Contact:
Re: Unreal story
Hey fellas,
yeah that was indeed me out there at point of rocks. Thanks for the kind words. Before the dog swam up to me I was thinking of calling it quits. Glad I stuck around a bit longer. Would have been extra horrible for that poor family to have lost their dog as well as their mother. It's a devastating tragedy.
Other than the dog, I didn't catch that much that day (some sheepies and a gag).
I was in sarasota for three weeks and there were only 3 days I didn't fish. Got back to WA yesterday. DaveR - it's likely you saw me fishing. I'm trying to think where I was on Friday. Perhaps the river. I really can't remember. Sorry I wasn't more active on the boards. I was busy either fishing, getting ready to fish, or sleeping. I fished the crap outta that place! :P I had to - fishing is pretty much shut down til April here in WA. I did get a chance to fish with Steve Gibson of ShallowPockets, which was great.
Got alot of video from my fishing that I need to cut together. But here's a pic of a nice saucy snook i got:
yeah that was indeed me out there at point of rocks. Thanks for the kind words. Before the dog swam up to me I was thinking of calling it quits. Glad I stuck around a bit longer. Would have been extra horrible for that poor family to have lost their dog as well as their mother. It's a devastating tragedy.
Other than the dog, I didn't catch that much that day (some sheepies and a gag).
I was in sarasota for three weeks and there were only 3 days I didn't fish. Got back to WA yesterday. DaveR - it's likely you saw me fishing. I'm trying to think where I was on Friday. Perhaps the river. I really can't remember. Sorry I wasn't more active on the boards. I was busy either fishing, getting ready to fish, or sleeping. I fished the crap outta that place! :P I had to - fishing is pretty much shut down til April here in WA. I did get a chance to fish with Steve Gibson of ShallowPockets, which was great.
Got alot of video from my fishing that I need to cut together. But here's a pic of a nice saucy snook i got:
Re: Unreal story
Nice going, Rory. That snook is a beauty but I'm more impressed with the dog. Safe travels.
35/34.5/26 24/22/1/1
I finally found Cow Creek. It's at the end of the Road to Nowhere!
I finally found Cow Creek. It's at the end of the Road to Nowhere!
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- Supporter 2007 - 2014
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- Joined: Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm
- Location: Bradenton
Re: Unreal story
Your story was the lead item on "Inside Edition" last evening. All of us animal lovers appreciate all that you and your family did even without knowing the whole story at the time. You will have to come back and visit us at tarpon time. Then you can get a chance to lift something bigger than that dog out of the gulf.
Being out on the water in the kayak is the prize. Catching fish is the bonus.
Steve
Steve
Re: Unreal story
The story has gone worldwide. AP picked it up. All fo the usual news groups across the coutnry have it and it's even in the Telegraph in the UK. Google 'kayaker finds dog' and you'll get 2 1/2 pages of videos.
Good stuff, Rory. Of all the things you might expect out there, a dog swimming to you is not one of them. Unless you took it out there. I know about that.
Were you there when the dog was reunited with the family?
Good stuff, Rory. Of all the things you might expect out there, a dog swimming to you is not one of them. Unless you took it out there. I know about that.
Were you there when the dog was reunited with the family?
Over every mountain there is a path, although it may not be seen from the valley
- americanrobster
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Re: Unreal story
Nice catches! Prayers to the victims family.
Rob
Heritage Redfish 12'
Heritage Redfish 14'
Heritage Redfish 12'
Heritage Redfish 14'
- the_tall_man
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the_tall_man
I wasn't. But I did just talk with Dr. Chen - the guy whose wife was killed by the drunk driver. He was very thankful I took care of the dog. I know most people would have though. Apparently Barney is suffering from a bit of PTSD. Poor guy. He also requested that if people are so inclined, they can make a donation to MADD in the name of Donna Chen, to try and prevent this from happening again. I agree with that!Rik wrote:Were you there when the dog was reunited with the family?
Re: Unreal story
Good on you Rory
I'm glad we got to the bottom of this mystery. I was afraid the kayaker was going to turn out to be 22acrowd J/K
I'm glad we got to the bottom of this mystery. I was afraid the kayaker was going to turn out to be 22acrowd J/K
"Anytime I shag a buddies wife I always cut the lawn when I'm done " ~ The Leg End ~