Drowning Victim Tried to Save Adoptive Daughter

FORT WORTH, Texas - The man who drowned Monday in the Trinity River had been spending the day with his family and prospective adoptive children.

Officials said when the little girl he hoped to adopt slipped and fell into the water, 47-year-old Richard Walker of Winnsboro jumped in to save her. The river’s currents pulled him under.

Moments later Jeff Harrison, a Good Samaritan bicyclist, was able to pull Walker’s wife and the 7-year-old girl from the water. The girl was not hurt, but 48-year-old Sanda Walker is still recovering in the hospital.

“It could have been a lot worse. We could’ve had two more drownings had the gentleman who chose to intervene, if he hadn’t acted when he did,” said Fort Worth Fire Department spokesman Tim Hardeman.

Child Protective Services now confirms the Walkers were the prospective adopted parents of the little girl and her 8-year-old brother.

The children are in foster care through Fort Worth’s All Church Home Child and Family Services. They are getting counseling and support in the wake of the tragedy.

Tuesday afternoon Harrison brought his mother to the river because she wanted to see where it all happened.

He said he also visited Sandra Walker in the hospital.

“That’s where it really hit home for me because other family members were there. Her church members were there. Her pastor was there. They knew exactly who I was when I walked in. Seeing their faces was probably the most touching thing,” Harrison said.