Local Man Dies Heroically Trying to Save Kids
Yesterday, 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
Join the discussion! For rules visit: https://kymkemp.com/commenting-rules
Comments system how-to: https://wpdiscuz.com/community/postid/10599/
That’s a hero!!!God bless you all.my condolences
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.
Thank you he was more then that to our family
So others may live…rest easy brother…we got this. LaMonte Fire
YES A HERO INDEED, RIP TIM
Very sad. You are a hero Timmy
What a tragic story……This man left this world a “True Hero!” My heart felt sympathy goes out to this man’s family.
Bless this young man and comfort for his family. So brave. I wish I could help his family during these trying times.
rest in peace
Oh my goodness! 😢 such a Hero! God bless you all!
He saved my boy we will never forget his selfless act no words could explain thank you timmy hatten our hero
Heartbreaking. Thank you for posting your praise for this wonderful father.
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.
RIP! You did the right thing and saved lives and sacrificed yours.
Really hard. Amazing how peaceful the river looks from a distance.
Three children? There’s just no words right now.
farewell to a brave dad and prayers for the children.
So sorry to hear this. My condolences to his family and friends.
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….
Rest in piece Timmy, you passed as a hero would. Never forget you bud.
Prayers, so sorry for your loss a true hero.
This was my cousin 🙁 RIP Timmy you are loved and will be missed.
I’m so sorry for your loss. I’ll keep you and your family in my prayers. Rip Timmy
That man is a hero in heaven
Amen.
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.
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.
So sorry for your loss. May you find peace in knowing he is with his Heavenly Father now. May god bless you all.
[…] UPDATE Monday: Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office: See also this story, Local Man Dies Heroically Trying to Save Kids. […]
Tim… You will be missed little brother. Someday we will meet again.
LOVEnRESPECT-VIKING
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.
He saved my baby so grateful
I’m at a loss for words… Tears
U will be missed Tim! My heart go’s out to his family
U will be missed Tim
God bless him and may he rest in peace!
A true heroic act while in trouble himself. RIP! Prayers for the family.
R.I.P.
How tragic and sad. Condolences to the family!
SUPER HERO!!!
You will never be forgotten timmy. Rip
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.
All my prayers to this family. This young man died trying to help. What a HERO …. Do bless all involved.
I’m grateful for Tim’s example and praying for his dear family. Rest in Peace Tim, and may Providence bless your family always.
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.
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
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. ❤️
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
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
Wow, that is an incredible experience! Thank you for being determined.
Damn…. RIP TIM!!
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..
RIP to a true man husband and father who made the ultimate sacrifice
RIP young man. Prayers go out to the family. He is in God’s hands now so he’s okay.
You forfitted your life to save them rip. My heart & thoughts with the families involved
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
My condolences to the family
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.
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
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.
You were a good man and a good friend see you on the other side Timmy…..