Editor:

Several weeks ago my son and his family were at Alcova Lake planning to enjoy an outing at Sandy Beach. As they arrived they heard people yelling and pointing towards the buoy off of Sandy Beach. As my son and his family looked towards the buoy they saw a young girl approximately 8 to 10 years old sitting on a "floating" type toy.

The wind had pushed her towards the buoy and was pushing her farther out into the lake. She was crying and panicking. She had no life jacket on and no other member of her family, who stood on the beach watching her, could swim. There were no boats in the vicinity. The only other person on the beach was a young boy.

My son, after having observed the situation, jumped into the water and swam towards the frightened girl, as he approached her, she jumped into the water leaving the floating toy to drift off in the wind. My son grabbed her and swam her back to shore to the waiting arms of her frightened family.

Why would people allow their child, who they know can't swim and is not wearing a life jacket, get on a floating toy at the lake? Incidents like these can and have resulted in tragedy.

There are ample opportunities in Casper for children and adults to learn how to swim. Also, the Casper Fire Department has life jackets they will loan to anyone who needs one.

Please people, do everything in your power to keep your children safe. Thanks to the many years of swimming lessons my son took when he was a youngster, he was able to save this young girl's life.

SUSAN DeWITT, Casper