Local Man Dies Heroically Trying to Save Kids

Tim HattenYesterday, a family’s camping trip to the Holmes area ended tragically with the drowning of Timothy Hatten, age 35 of Fortuna. This morning we spoke to Lola Crothers, his mother-in-law, who told the story she knew personally or had gathered from family members.  Crothers explained that Hatten’s step-son, Harley, who is also her grandson was graduating from high school.

“All Harley wanted was for the whole family to camp for the weekend,” she said.  The family spent a couple of days at the river enjoying each other and swimming.

Yesterday, Crothers said, two children from the families gathered there, nine and twelve-year-old boys got in trouble in the water. “They were swimming there all day, but then they got in a spot where it was really swift,” she said. “Three people jumped in to save them–Harley, Louie and Timmy.”

Tim Hatten, she said, got caught in the current almost immediately.  Louie could see that Timmy was in trouble. “He could see that Timmy was going under. Timmy had his boots on,” Crothers said.

While Harley was saving his little brother, the other man, Louie, she said, started to turn to help Hatten. “Timmy hollered at him to go get the kid.” Louie then continued after the other boy in trouble. He managed to get that boy out. Harley managed to get his little brother out. But the current was so swift and strong that, Crothers said, “Harley had to be rescued because he was so tired from getting the first kid out.”

When they returned to help Hatten, he was gone. It took a helicopter crew searching the river before they were able to locate his body some time later.

“The current was just too swift,” Crothers said. “The river has changed. These boys were raised there and knew that river well and they still got in trouble.”

Crothers said that one of her young grandsons who originally got caught in the current told her, “I thought I wasn’t going to see another day, Grandma.”

Timothy Hatten left behind a wife and three children. “He was a hero,” said Crothers. “He told them to go on and get the kids when he got hung up.”

UPDATE Tuesday: A family member asked, “If you could tell anyone who wants to donate they can write checks to Ayres family creamation 2620 jacobs avenue eureka ca TIMMY HATTEN HERO FUND .Our family would appreciate the help we need to raise $1000 in week for the morturary.”

Earlier Chapter: Rescuers Responding to Holmes Flat for Possible Drowning

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76 Comments
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G-ma
Guest
G-ma
7 years ago

That’s a hero!!!God bless you all.my condolences

Chris
Guest
Chris
7 years ago
Reply to  G-ma

Now here’s a perfect example of someone dying when death doesn’t have to be.that would be if God’s Will and I know being a son of god and working for him full time he loves us all so much he would wake him with his powers through me.my condolences to family.

Lil jojo
Guest
Lil jojo
7 years ago
Reply to  Chris

Thank you he was more then that to our family

Jeremy
Guest
Jeremy
7 years ago
Reply to  G-ma

So others may live…rest easy brother…we got this. LaMonte Fire

Robert jones
Guest
Robert jones
7 years ago

YES A HERO INDEED, RIP TIM

Me
Guest
Me
7 years ago

Very sad. You are a hero Timmy

mommabear
Guest
mommabear
7 years ago

What a tragic story……This man left this world a “True Hero!” My heart felt sympathy goes out to this man’s family.

Karen
Guest
Karen
7 years ago

Bless this young man and comfort for his family. So brave. I wish I could help his family during these trying times.

gazoo
Guest
gazoo
7 years ago

rest in peace

Sabrina
Guest
Sabrina
7 years ago

Oh my goodness! 😢 such a Hero! God bless you all!

Diana Bailey
Guest
Diana Bailey
7 years ago

He saved my boy we will never forget his selfless act no words could explain thank you timmy hatten our hero

Emma Nation
Guest
Emma Nation
7 years ago
Reply to  Diana Bailey

Heartbreaking. Thank you for posting your praise for this wonderful father.

Robin Burdick
Guest
Robin Burdick
7 years ago

So sorry Lola. Just keep remembering the good stuff an know it was his time to go.we all have a time we are born an a time we will die an when its our time its unchangeable. So sorry for your loss.

For Real
Guest
For Real
7 years ago

RIP! You did the right thing and saved lives and sacrificed yours.

Eric Kirk
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Eric Kirk
7 years ago

Really hard. Amazing how peaceful the river looks from a distance.

silverlining
Guest
silverlining
7 years ago

Three children? There’s just no words right now.
farewell to a brave dad and prayers for the children.

Ed
Guest
Ed
7 years ago

So sorry to hear this. My condolences to his family and friends.

Phoenix
Guest
Phoenix
7 years ago

I can’t stop crying after reading after that. I’m so sorry for the family that had to experience that during a special family trip. My condolences for your loss, I’ll be praying for those kids, lossing a parenent as a child right in front of your eyes, heartbreaking. RIP, your forever a Hero….

Mike Smith
Guest
Mike Smith
7 years ago

Rest in piece Timmy, you passed as a hero would. Never forget you bud.

Big louie
Guest
Big louie
7 years ago

Prayers, so sorry for your loss a true hero.

kathryn brewer
Guest
kathryn brewer
7 years ago

This was my cousin 🙁 RIP Timmy you are loved and will be missed.

Cheryl
Guest
Cheryl
7 years ago
Reply to  kathryn brewer

I’m so sorry for your loss. I’ll keep you and your family in my prayers. Rip Timmy

Mogtx
Guest
7 years ago

That man is a hero in heaven

Emma Nation
Guest
Emma Nation
7 years ago
Reply to  Mogtx

Amen.

Salt River
Guest
Salt River
7 years ago

RIP Tim, the world needs more people like you to stick around. You gave the ultimate sacrifice for another and the world can’t ask more from a person. You are a hero.

Rose Uribe
Guest
Rose Uribe
7 years ago

Such a tragic incident. So sad it ended in such an memory for the children n all involved. I feel for yu all. RIP Timmy. U r truly a hero.

Kathleen
Guest
Kathleen
7 years ago

So sorry for your loss. May you find peace in knowing he is with his Heavenly Father now. May god bless you all.

trackback

[…] UPDATE Monday: Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office: See also this story, Local Man Dies Heroically Trying to Save Kids. […]

Joal brudvik
Guest
Joal brudvik
7 years ago

Tim… You will be missed little brother. Someday we will meet again.
LOVEnRESPECT-VIKING

Bless That Man
Guest
Bless That Man
7 years ago

Tear jerker. I wish it would have ended differently. That man is a hero. May a little sliver of comfort come to the mother knowing her son saved lives.

Diana Bailey
Guest
Diana Bailey
7 years ago
Reply to  Bless That Man

He saved my baby so grateful

Peggy
Guest
7 years ago

I’m at a loss for words… Tears

jessica
Guest
jessica
7 years ago

U will be missed Tim! My heart go’s out to his family

jessica
Guest
jessica
7 years ago

U will be missed Tim

Jenna May
Guest
Jenna May
7 years ago

God bless him and may he rest in peace!

Kimberly faulks
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Kimberly faulks
7 years ago

A true heroic act while in trouble himself. RIP! Prayers for the family.

Sparklemahn
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Sparklemahn
7 years ago

R.I.P.

Roxy
Guest
Roxy
7 years ago

How tragic and sad. Condolences to the family!

Carolyn Hensley
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Carolyn Hensley
7 years ago

SUPER HERO!!!

margaret johnson
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margaret johnson
7 years ago

You will never be forgotten timmy. Rip

Linda Lynes
Guest
7 years ago

Timmy, you made the decision to help those two boys and ultimately sacrificed your life in doing so. You are a true hero. God bless you. R.I. P Young man.

Troy Johnson
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Troy Johnson
7 years ago

All my prayers to this family. This young man died trying to help. What a HERO …. Do bless all involved.

Emma Nation
Guest
Emma Nation
7 years ago

I’m grateful for Tim’s example and praying for his dear family. Rest in Peace Tim, and may Providence bless your family always.

DrMarm Twining
Guest
DrMarm Twining
7 years ago

Oh, my heart goes out to his family. I have tears running down my face. (sitting in a hotel lobby) Hopefully, there will be a memorial program that can educate others about the changing currents and the selfless decision he made for the kids to be saved.

Amanda
Guest
Amanda
7 years ago

Is there a fund for his family yet? We’d like to donate, I cant imagine raising three boys on my own. RIP God Bless

Marie
Guest
Marie
7 years ago

A true Hero. His family should find a piece of comfort in knowing he ultimately sacrificed his own life to save the kids…and by exhibiting such ultimate heroism this man clearly had been surrounded by loved ones that helped shape his character. We simply do not know why such tragedies occur, but clearly this hero’s work was finished here…I can only imagine the lives he has touched…I am so very sorry for the families grief and sorrow. ❤️

kalia
Guest
kalia
7 years ago
Reply to  Marie

Im sorry for this family loss he was a hero and put his life in danger to save the kids what inspiration soneone raised him right and he did what he could to save the kids he sure left a mark on this world what a tragic event that took place god knew it was his time to go he was a good hero and just know god only takes the best rip timmy

mendocino mamma
Guest
mendocino mamma
7 years ago

Please be safe in the river. It looks so peaceful but tricks those who come to enjoy it. RIP. Blessings to the family. Stick together! Support each other. Maybe like 5 years ago I was out on the eel. Dude was with his family…playing ball with my dog. Did not know him. Everyone chill splashing. Then bang dudes gone…family is freaking out. They somehow find him and drag him up on the bank laying him there. They are screaming and freaking out. He is pure white…out …eyes rolled back…lips blue…no response or pulse. I’m like damn…call 911…no reception…I just grab him…Throw him on his stomach and start pounding on his back like a mad woman. I’m yelling at family in spanish…turns out I learn later they were from Nepal…no wonder I couldn’t communicate with them!
I pound away…telling him your not dying today. Bang he vomits and spits up tons of water. Takes a big breath and coughs. I couldn’t believe it. And we had went to the water to spread a friends ashes that day who commited suicide and I saved a life in the end. He wound up in Howard Hospital ICU. The river is so tricky…RIP. <3

Dabzz
Guest
Dabzz
7 years ago

Damn…. RIP TIM!!

Mike McCauley
Guest
7 years ago

Hero surely and sure glad to see the support for the selfless actions!
Good man, and I for one am thankful for genuine and selfless folks such as this..

Heather
Guest
Heather
7 years ago

RIP to a true man husband and father who made the ultimate sacrifice

Kathy Vallee Andersen
Guest
7 years ago

RIP young man. Prayers go out to the family. He is in God’s hands now so he’s okay.

Stephen
Guest
Stephen
7 years ago

You forfitted your life to save them rip. My heart & thoughts with the families involved

Aurora Lee
Guest
Aurora Lee
7 years ago

Tammy I love you and I always will and you will always be the best brother I ever had you were always there for me when I didn’t have time in life and everything else you are a hero in God’s eyes and my eyes and your children’s eyes and your families I will always love you and I’ll always care I’m proud of you and Every Witch Way for everything you have done for these children I love you brother love your sister Aurora

Teresa
Guest
Teresa
7 years ago
Reply to  Aurora Lee

My condolences to the family

Tall Trees
Guest
Tall Trees
7 years ago

So sad for his wife and family. He was heroic to jump in like that. Please take off your clothing and shoes, grab a piece of rope…. Thank god the children were safe after this loss.

Joyce fishman
Guest
Joyce fishman
7 years ago

This family man in the prime of his life gave his life for another!!! There is no other pure act that can compare!
The heart and mind are properties of the soul. Love can always reach that other world. He will retain his memories of his love ones(his life here)and continue to feel their love for him. You can pray for him as he will pray for all of you(his dear family).
Tim is a noble soul that will inspire others from that invisible realm!
“Know thou of a truth that the soul, after its separation from the body, will continue to progress until it attaineth the presence of God, in a state and condition which neither the revolution of ages and centuries, nor the changes and chances of this world, can alter. It will endure as long as the Kingdom of God, His sovereignty, His dominion and power will endure. It will manifest the signs of God and His attributes, and will reveal His loving kindness and bounty. The movement of My Pen is stilled when it attempteth to befittingly describe the loftiness and glory of so exalted a station. The honor with which the Hand of Mercy will invest the soul is such as no tongue can adequately reveal, nor any other earthly agency describe. ”
From the writings of the Baha’i’ Faith

cynthia wells
Guest
cynthia wells
7 years ago

My deepest condolences to all of his friends and families. May God hold them all up and keep them supported throughout this hardship. He is a Hero for his sacrifice to give ones life for the life of others, I know the children will always remember this act of kindness and generosity. I pray for them to grow up and not feel guilty over this in anyway shape or form. My prayers are with you all.

Dusty Titus
Guest
Dusty Titus
7 years ago

You were a good man and a good friend see you on the other side Timmy…..