Three Eastern View High School students—Andrew Tuggle (15), Jackson Castro (17) and Gavin Cain (17)—rescued a family, including a 3-year-old, after two kayaks capsized at Lake Culpeper during golf tryouts on July 27. The teens jumped into the water, brought the adults and child safely ashore, and recovered the kayaks before emergency crews arrived. Officials praised their quick, selfless actions, and all three earned places on the school's golf team.
Three Teens Dive In to Rescue Family After Kayaks Capsize — Then Return to Golf Tryouts
Three teens trying out for their high school golf team sprang into action when they saw two adults and a child drowning in VirginiaCredit: Culpeper Police Dept.
What began as a routine afternoon of golf tryouts turned into a dramatic water rescue when three Eastern View High School students sprang into action at Lake Culpeper.
On Monday, July 27, at about 3:35 p.m., teammates Andrew Tuggle (15), Jackson Castro (17) and Gavin Cain (17) noticed two kayaks had capsized near the Culpeper Country Club, throwing a family into the water along a steep, overgrown hillside and rocky shoreline, the Culpeper Police Department said in a news release.
Quick Thinking, Immediate Action
While some teammates called 911 and alerted coaches, the three boys "ran to the water's edge, jumped in, and swam out to reach the family," according to police. The teens brought both adults and a toddler — reported to be 3 years old — safely to shore, then returned to retrieve the overturned kayaks.
"The guy actually came up to me and said, 'You saved my life,'" Tuggle told NBC affiliate KTVB.
Emergency crews and police arrived after the rescue was complete; authorities later reviewed drone footage to confirm no one remained in the water. The family, who were wearing life jackets, escaped without injuries.
Praise From Officials
Culpeper Police Chief Chris Settle commended the students for acting "immediately, without hesitation, at potentially great personal risk to themselves," saying their quick response saved three lives. Eastern View golf coach Patrick Thornhill called the rescue "heroic," and district officials praised the teens' leadership and character.
After a brief break to change out of wet clothes, the boys returned to the course. All three earned spots on the Eastern View High School golf team following the incident.
Details At A Glance: Date: July 27 | Time: ~3:35 p.m. | Location: Lake Culpeper, near Culpeper Country Club | Rescuers: Andrew Tuggle (15), Jackson Castro (17), Gavin Cain (17) | Outcome: Family uninjured; teens rewarded with team spots.
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