CHV Lives On

On Saturday night I got a call from a school friend. One of my close friends had died in an accident. There was a BBQ at Albert Park (for those who know) and one of my friends, Bob, had gone into the lake to get a ball out. He got into trouble and called out for help, the few people that saw him figured he was just mucking around.. til his head went under the water a few times.. They jumped in to try to rescue him, but he went under one final time and didn't come back up.
Someone called 000 (Aussie version of 911) and emergency services arrived within minutes. But it was already too late, his body was found nearly 3 hours later by cops.. his family and friends were hysterical on the banks of the lake as they pulled the body bag out of the water. A few of my friends who were at the BBQ had said it happened so fast, they didn't even realise there was any trouble until the Ambulance arrived.
So my friend came and picked me up, and we went to his house at night to support his family and all.. his mum was in shock badly.. Bob had just finished High School, was only 17 years old, and was awaiting his VCE results.. she couldn't believe what had happened, it was just so unexpected..
The next day we all went to the Lake for a memorial service. About 60 people or so showed up, to bring flowers and say goodbye at the very spot he went in the lake.. His best friend was shattered. He went to place flowers in the water, and collapsed on the ground. He ended up having a seizure and we, again, had to call an Ambulance.
After a few hours at the lake, his close friends and family went back to his house again. Even though I'm not buddhist, I joined his family as we lit incense at the altar while monks chanted in honour of the dead.
It was the saddest death I have ever experienced.. I talked to him only 3 days before hand, he said how he was so excited about finishing school and all the plans he had for his holidays. We were supposed to be going to a party together on Wednesday night.. His life was just about to begin..
VCE results will be announced on December 16th.. On that day, my heart will be with his family as they open his letter and see the achievements of their son that will never be fulfilled. MRk MRK n FnK Mz

:[not allowed

Wow, bad times.
That's like what happened to my friends and I here. Shortly after we graduated, a little over one week, I found out that my friend Glenn Anderson died.
My friend Shaggy called me and he told me that Glenn and his older brother died while cave diving. They were hiking on a trail up in the hills, and came across a flooded mine. They've done this stuff before, it's safe to say they're seasoned veterans. Apparently, though, the water was extremely stagnant and had very low oxygen content. We found out later that they couldn't find their way out and drowned.
It was really sad. I remember sitting at a table with him at senior brunch at the Elks Lodge just talking about whatever, and him and Shaggy planning on surfing during the summer. Bad times.
Rally Co-Driver In Training
...Opens 80, narrows 4 left minus tightens, into 5 right, opens 30, 5 right keep in into hairpin left, 4 plus 30, sharp 5 left into crest 20, opens 5 half long over crest...

That's really terrible.

heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,5548626%255E2862,00.htmlMRk MRK n FnK Mz

i feel bad for his parents and friends
sad sad sad....Bakamitai....
- doraemi

This is from the OC Register online archives that i have access to.

The Orange County Register

June 29, 2002
Music, tears for loved brothers // Funeral - Almost 700 people pay tribute to Nick and Glenn Anderson, who died in an abandoned mine.

Author: ERIC CARPENTER

Edition: 1
Section: Local
Page: E
Dateline: SANTA ANA



Estimated printed pages: 3

Article Text:
SANTA ANA

Matt Murphy, 17, grabbed his guitar, fought back tears and paid tribute to his friends, Nick and Glenn Anderson, in a way he knew they'd appreciate -- with music.

He stood in front of nearly 700 mourners gathered at Calvary Church in Santa Ana and strummed intensely. His voice cracked with emotion as he sang, ``I want to go to paradise; I want to go home.''

The lyrics came from a song Glenn Anderson, 18, penned two weeks before his death, Murphy said. Those who eulogized Nick and Glenn said they're confident the brothers have discovered a new paradise in heaven.

``I want to cry, but I don't cry because I know they are ok,'' said their cousin, Chris Carter, 24. ``I cry more for the people they loved. The people left behind.''

Glenn Anderson and his brother, Nick, 23, died Sunday while exploring an abandoned, flooded mine in Silverado Canyon.

Murphy, who was in the Blue Light Mine with them, saw them dive underwater to find an opening in the mineshaft. That was the last time he saw them. He alerted authorities and the brothers' bodies were discovered by sheriff's divers a day later.

On Friday, family members and friends packed Calvary Church to celebrate the Anderson brothers' lives in a two-hour memorial service filled with tears and laughter, as friends told stories about the brothers' adventurous spirits and enthusiasm.

Some of the mourners wore black, but just as many wore colorful surf shirts and sandals. The brothers were avid surfers who rode the waves of Newport and Huntington beaches every chance they got. Hawaiian leis adorned two large photos of the brothers at the front of the church.

``Every day, they wrestled and beat the pulp out of each other,'' said Cookie Evans, the brothers' aunt.

She said they were ``crazy, wild and adventurous.''

They loved to explore in the desert, race on Jet Skis, snow ski with wild abandon and shred the waves on their surfboards. She recalled when Nick learned to ski.

``He didn't care what jump he went off,'' Evans said. ``He'd fall down, his pants would fall down, he'd grab his skis and he'd be laughing and giggling the whole time.

``He enjoyed his life the whole time.''

Carter said his cousins considered the world their playground.

``They lived life for all it's worth,'' he said. ``Nick and Glenn wouldn't expect anything else but for us to live it up like they did.''

Current and former students from El Modena High School in Orange, where Nick and Glenn graduated in 1997 and 2002 respectively, recalled how the brothers had a knack for making people smile. Glenn used to perform a Britney Spears-style dance that prompted uncontrollable laughter.

``It's sad to see them go, but I feel so lucky to have had the time with them that I had,'' Carter said. ``I truly discovered what love is.''

The brothers' mom, Terry Kling, said after the service that she was glad to hear the laughter and celebration of her sons' lives. She was heartened by the number of people who came to pay respects.

``I'm amazed by the support and love,'' she said. ``I never could have known how many lives were touched by Nick and Glenn's love.''

Family members said they hope the tragedy will educate others about the dangers of exploring inside the nearly 47,000 abandoned mines that dot California's landscape. Murphy plans to lead a group of friends up to the Blue Light Mine today to post a warning, and to leave a memorial.
Rally Co-Driver In Training
...Opens 80, narrows 4 left minus tightens, into 5 right, opens 30, 5 right keep in into hairpin left, 4 plus 30, sharp 5 left into crest 20, opens 5 half long over crest...

This seems like some sort of story they would bring up in health class to "take matters seriously." Its so sad that when i hear those stories, i knwo they are true and happen to many people who should not have it happen.
I offer my deepest sympathies and wish you the strongest recovery.