Men honored for brave rescue

Published 9:50 pm Thursday, June 25, 2009

STANWOOD — Liz Darrow wasn’t surprised when she learned in April that her son and his friend jumped into the Stillaguamish River to rescue a girl.

Carpet installers Nathan McGraph and Jeremy Darrow were headed to a job the morning of April 15 when they watched a car land in the river upside down.

The friends wasted no time. They darted into the water, smashed the car’s windows and, joined by a sheriff’s deputy, pulled out a 16-year-old girl. She wasn’t breathing. Medics rushed her to the hospital.

“She wouldn’t be alive today if it wasn’t for them,” Liz Darrow said. “I’m really, really proud of them.”

Julie Faragher of Stanwood recovered after a long stay at the hospital, Liz Darrow said.

For their swift actions, Jeremy Darrow and McGraph, 27 and 29 at the time of the rescue, were honored Wednesday by the North County Fire Authority. The fire department presented the pair and four police officers with a Bravery Award.

Also honored were Stanwood Police Chief Ty Trennary and Sgt. Barry Ruchty, who performed CPR and revived Julie, and two sheriff’s deputies.

“It was such a high-risk rescue, and all those people did everything right,” North County Fire Battalion Chief Christian Davis said. “This young lady was able to make a full recovery because of the bravery these individuals showed during those few seconds.”

Before the ceremony, Liz Darrow bought flowers for Julie and her mother. The girl was going to meet Jeremy Darrow and McGraph for the first time. The two friends went to see her at the hospital, but she wasn’t awake, Liz Darrow said.

Liz and Ed Darrow of Stanwood own Darrow’s Carpet Services. Many people have stopped by with kind words for Jeremy Darrow and McGraph, Liz Darrow said.

This was the first time the fire department presented an award for bravery, Chief Davis said. The department plans to make it a tradition.

Katya Yefimova: 425-339-3452, kyefimova@heraldnet.com.