CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A man that drowned while rescuing his child will posthumously receive a Carnegie Medal.
The medal is awarded to those across the America and Canada who risk death or injury to help save another person’s life.
Ke’Vaughn Montgomery, 25, of Charleston, died on July 15, 2024, after going after his eight-year-old son who was starting to drown on Sutton Lake.
The son had gone down a recreational slide on a double-decker pontoon boat into a part of the lake that was 14-feet deep. The son was wearing a life jacket, but when one of the hooks unlatched, his body started to go under.
Despite not being able to swim well, Montgomery jumped the water to rescue his panicked son. He repeatedly submerged as he held the son above the surface. Montgomery eventually pushed the boy a few feet from the boat, but then fully submerged.
Despite frantic efforts from other adults in the party, Montgomery never resurfaced.
Montgomery was not found due to poor visibility and was found by divers the next day.
The Carnegie Medal, which will soon go to Montgomery’s family, is largely considered North America’s highest civilian honor for heroism.