15-Year-Old Risks His Life to Save a Friend
Not many 15-year-old kids are as calm under pressure as Fort Bragg High School student, Dalton Cooke.
“He risked his life,” explained his mother, Laurie Haney, “and in doing so, he saved the life of a close friend.”
On the afternoon of Sunday, February 12, Dalton Cooke and his friend Jordan Broyles sat on a ragged cliff near Glass Beach in Fort Bragg. While standing up, Jordan somehow stumbled and then fell over the side. (See photo below to get an idea of how far he fell.)
Dalton, though horrified at what was happening, bounded down the steep bluffs to get to the shore. There he saw his friend floating unconscious face down in the waves. Without regard for his own safety, he jumped in the water and swam to Jordan. Immediately, he began tugging him to shore.
Nearby adults saw what was happening and reached Dalton’s side in time to help pull Jordan from the water.
There, the 19-year-old Jordan began to recover consciousness and coughed up some water. “He was then flown to a Santa Rosa hospital where he was placed in a medically induced coma,” said Haney. “Miraculously, Jordan didn’t break a single bone.”The young man didn’t get off completely without injuries. “He had to have some staples in his head and be monitored for pneumonia because of all the salt water he got in his lungs,” Haney explained. “Jordan is now home.” And, she said, the two friends recently got to spend the day together.
Haney said, she is very proud of him and thankful “he and Jordan both made it safely to shore.”
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Dalton you are a HERO!!Your quick action saved your friend god bless you!
I agree with what G-mas said. Good Job Dalton
There’s no greater honor that accrues any citizen then to risk ones life to save another. Well done. Great story. Very honorable. Thanks for sharing RHBB.
That’s a brave young man. So glad things turned out well.
Wow! I remember when Dalton was a baby. Good job, kiddo!
Nice to hear a positive and great ending story. Friends are forever and in this case, beyond a lifetime.
Equal parts brave and stupid, mostly unbelievably blessed
Someones got a potential career with the coast guard!!! Super kick ass work Dalton.
Two bandmembers from Irie Rockers also assisted in this rescue. It was very taxing to get Jordan out of the water. Everyone is relieved that he made it, thanks to all rescuers.
Thats our brave downriver boy!!!!
Nice job dude ! Way to be an exemplary human being !
You are awesome Dalton
Wonderfully done young man! You truly are a hero!
What an amazing young man. 🙂 the world needs more people like you Dalton! You will forever be that families hero. 😀 Great job for staying calm in that situation. Great job parents for raising an amazing young man!!!!
I hereby would like to recommend Dalton Cooke for the medal of Valor.
Good Job Dalton!
Dalton you are a real life Hero and a true friend!!!! A friend anyone would be blessed to have, Never change!!!! Sending love and respect to you and your family along with Jordan!!!!
Outstanding efforts by all the rescuers, with extra applause freely & loudly offered to Dalton. Absofrickintastic!
Thank you to all the rescuers and a special hats off to Dalton for his rushing down the cliff & into the ocean. I’m very glad Jordan is recovering.
Dalton, your Life is changed forever by this event…Special will follow you all the days of your Life. Love to all
Dalton you have a very special spirit. Don’t let anyone or anything ever take that away from you.
Bless you little one.
Kudos to the young man for his outstanding actions!
of course, no one mentions that they were doing whippits when this all went down. scary stupid.
Supposition? Or were you there and did nothing but compose you troll post?
Lol. Yeah well doing stupid shit is in our nature. Still he showed enough guts and fortitude to risk his life to save his buddy. High honors in my book. Whip it’s or not. Lol.
Good job Dalton. Your heroism and bravery give me hope for the future of us all. Good luck to you, Jordan. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.
What a wonderful young man! May your life be blessed.
I used to babysit this guy and now he’s a remarkable selfless young man. So proud of you Dalton!
OMG!!! This made me cry. Such a beautiful act with amazing results! In the chance to help being a hero is not thought of. Dalton your selflessness is beyond measure.
We need more Daltons in this world.
Thank you for being the hero you are! You have a new “family” for life! You are an amazing young man who risked his own life to save that of another, May God bless you! Jordan’s very grateful great aunt (Annie)!
Nice to read of a happy ending. Way to go, Dalton. Glad to know such courage is still out there. You can spend a lifetime searching for a true friend. Jordan scored early in life. Lucky in so many ways. Every day’s a gift, dude. You know that now, if not before.