Decatur man dies saving his daughter

DECATUR — Michael Wheaton, of Decatur, drowned in the Illinois River on Saturday evening after saving his 7-year-old daughter’s life.

The 42-yearold father was sitting on the bank watching his daughter wade in the river at a place called Carnes Ford, near Watts, Okla .,when she stepped into deep water and called for help, according to a report from the Oklahoma Scenic River Commission.

Wheaton went into the water and saved his daughter, but fell into the hole himself, said Capt. Bill James of the Oklahoma Scenic River Commission. Wheaton’s friend, Jessica Sellers, made four attempts to push him into shallow water, James said, but was unsuccessful.

“There is a current there,” he said.

Nearby swimmers cameto help and successfully got Wheaton out of the water, according to James.

Fire Chief Greg Neely of Siloam Springs Fire Department said that after bystanders pulled the victim from the water, he was transported by pickup to Pete’s Place on U.S. Highway412 in West Siloam Springs. From there, Siloam Springs paramedics took him by ambulance to Siloam Springs Regional Hospital. Paramedics gave himadvanced life support. Neely said the man was unconscious the entire time he was in their care.

Wheaton was pronounced dead at the hospital, James said.

Family friend Katrina Cryer called Wheaton a hero for saving his daughter when the current began to pull her away.

“He is the best father. He is a hero,” she said, “He saved that baby; the current was taking her.”

Cryer said that Wheatonhad pulmonary fibrosis, with only 10 to 15 percent lung function, and said the family believes his medical condition played a role in his death.

Vester Cripps, of the Benton County Coroner's Office, said thecause of death was drowning.

"He was a heavy smoker," Cripps said. "He had pulmonary fibrosis. It can affect how long you can hold your breath."

The State Crime Lab will complete a toxicology report to determine whether alcohol or other substances contributed to the death. The report usually takes about two months to complete.