Missouri Man Drowns After Lake Rescue

Missouri Man Drowns Saving Boyfriend's Son

A Missouri man drowned after jumping into the water to save his girlfriend's 5-year-old son, according to local reports.

David Moore, 66, from St. Joseph, Missouri, died on Aug. 17 after he jumped into the water when the boy, who was wearing a life vest, began to float away from the boat. Another person who was not wearing a life vest also fell into the water, KQ2 ABC and KCTV 5 reported. Moore was also not wearing a vest when he jumped in.

The incident occurred on Smithville Lake, about 30 miles north of Kansas City, as both fell off a pontoon boat.

Moore successfully rescued the two people and got them back on the boat, but the current pulled him away, leading to his drowning. The other two individuals survived.

Moore's head went underwater three times before he disappeared. The Missouri State Highway Patrol later found his body, according to KCTV 5.

David Moore 'spent a lifetime' helping others

"David lost his life helping others out and wouldn't have had it end any other way," according to a GoFundMe that was set up to raise money for funeral costs.

The GoFundMe raised around $100 but was later deactivated by the organizer, Jeff Penland.

“He would be the first one to help anybody,” Moore's childhood friend William “Bill” Penland told KCTV.

Police and Moore's family are urging people to wear their life vests while on the water.