Family Raising Money For Local Dive Team After Girl Drowns

PinkFloyd · 12-15-2006, 06:54 AM

CAMERON, Mo. -- Five days after a Cameron girl drowned trying to save her eight-year-old friend, the fathers of both children were speaking out on Thursday.

The fathers were setting up a memorial fund in the name of Olivia Lee Kennedy to fund a dive rescue team in Cameron.

The two fathers said seconds count and on Sunday the closest dive team was based more than an hour away. On Thursday, they spoke about the tragedy and their hopes to avoid another.

It took the dive team from Bethany, Mo. more than an hour to reach rural DeKalb County on Sunday afternoon. By then a neighbor had rescued eight-year-old Dakota Martin from a backyard pond. But it was too late for Dakota's life-long friend Olivia.

"I just want you guys to know that I miss my daughter very much," Clinton Kennedy said.

"Dakota will never forget his friend and hero Olivia and nobody should forget her heroic actions that day trying to save Dakota," Ben Martin said.

Martin said his son woke up in the hospital thinking Olivia had been rescued too.

"He got real upset, he told me he didn't understand," Martin said.

Both fathers said they had warned their kids about playing near ponds and neither blamed the babysitter. They both just considered this a horrible accident, but it's an outcome the two fathers never want to see again.

So the two men are raising money to create a dive team in Cameron.

"My greatest hope that comes out of this is that we can get this dive team going," Martin said.

Martin said kids can be as naive as they are brave with so many ponds, reservoirs and state parks in DeKalb county. He believes a dive team will be needed again. He just hopes they're closer next time. Cameron has six volunteer firefighters waiting to be trained in dive rescue.

To contribute to the Olivia Lee Kennedy memorial fund, contact the Horizon State Bank in Cameron, Missouri at 816-632-7000.

Rob Low, FOX 4 News

kepp · 12-15-2006, 08:07 AM

This is heartrending. I can't imagine it. Where does this fall on the retrosexual tearing-up scale?

**Dartgod** · 12-15-2006, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Both fathers said they had warned their kids about playing near ponds and neither blamed the babysitter. They both just considered this a horrible accident, but it's an outcome the two fathers never want to see again.

So the two men are raising money to create a dive team in Cameron.

I wish this was the norm in situations like this. Instead of looking for someone to blame, these two are taking positive steps to make sure it doesn't happen to someone else.

To many people in this country would be hiring a lawyer, looking to get paid.

kepp · 12-15-2006, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dartgod

I wish this was the norm in situations like this. Instead of looking for someone to blame, these two are taking positive steps to make sure it doesn't happen to someone else.

To many people in this country would be hiring a lawyer, looking to get paid.

Yep...if this had happened in California or New England that babysitter would be in a world of hurt.

**Iowanian** · 12-15-2006, 08:34 AM

This would have been a good place for 37forever to have stepped in and given some money.

If there is any left in the kauffers.....

PinkFloyd · 12-15-2006, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iowanian

This would have been a good place for 37forever to have stepped in and given some money.

If there is any left in the kauffers.....

From what I hear, the surrounding communities here are pitching in pretty good... There's lot of caring people around here who has pitched in during many crisis...

When the F-5 tornado went thru here in 2004, I would say there was at least 100 people there searching for people as soon as it went thru... I mean AS SOON as it passed by...

I was one of about 25 people following the tornado on the ground... We just stopped right then and went looking... Even to this day you can still see the destruction path it took...

If some family is in need in this area, it's just amazing at all the outpouring that is given...

MariahKW · 08-21-2011, 12:45 AM

Olivia you were a great friend to hang out with... U will never be forgotten i miss hanging out with you on the play ground

i still remember you even til this day... ur always in my heart!! Ily rip!

Mariah Whittet Cameron Mo.

12-15-2006, 06:54 AM
PinkFloyd I've Become - Comfortably Numb Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Cameron, Missouri Casino cash: $10003795	Family Raising Money For Local Dive Team After Girl Drowns CAMERON, Mo. -- Five days after a Cameron girl drowned trying to save her eight-year-old friend, the fathers of both children were speaking out on Thursday. The fathers were setting up a memorial fund in the name of Olivia Lee Kennedy to fund a dive rescue team in Cameron. The two fathers said seconds count and on Sunday the closest dive team was based more than an hour away. On Thursday, they spoke about the tragedy and their hopes to avoid another. It took the dive team from Bethany, Mo. more than an hour to reach rural DeKalb County on Sunday afternoon. By then a neighbor had rescued eight-year-old Dakota Martin from a backyard pond. But it was too late for Dakota's life-long friend Olivia. "I just want you guys to know that I miss my daughter very much," Clinton Kennedy said. "Dakota will never forget his friend and hero Olivia and nobody should forget her heroic actions that day trying to save Dakota," Ben Martin said. Martin said his son woke up in the hospital thinking Olivia had been rescued too. "He got real upset, he told me he didn't understand," Martin said. Both fathers said they had warned their kids about playing near ponds and neither blamed the babysitter. They both just considered this a horrible accident, but it's an outcome the two fathers never want to see again. So the two men are raising money to create a dive team in Cameron. "My greatest hope that comes out of this is that we can get this dive team going," Martin said. Martin said kids can be as naive as they are brave with so many ponds, reservoirs and state parks in DeKalb county. He believes a dive team will be needed again. He just hopes they're closer next time. Cameron has six volunteer firefighters waiting to be trained in dive rescue. To contribute to the Olivia Lee Kennedy memorial fund, contact the Horizon State Bank in Cameron, Missouri at 816-632-7000. Rob Low, FOX 4 News
Posts: 3,089

12-15-2006, 08:07 AM	#2
kepp MVP Join Date: Aug 2005 Casino cash: $3509212	This is heartrending. I can't imagine it. Where does this fall on the retrosexual tearing-up scale?
Posts: 14,738

12-15-2006, 08:34 AM	#5
Iowanian Supporter Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Utopia Casino cash: $1768454	This would have been a good place for 37forever to have stepped in and given some money. If there is any left in the kauffers.....
Posts: 62,936

08-21-2011, 12:45 AM	#7
MariahKW Rookie Join Date: Aug 2011 Casino cash: $10004900	Olivia you were a great friend to hang out with... U will never be forgotten i miss hanging out with you on the play ground i still remember you even til this day... ur always in my heart!! Ily rip! Mariah Whittet Cameron Mo.
Posts: 1