MAYER - "Save my kids," a Katrina Baudek yelled as rushing waters in a flash flood swept her downstream from the pickup truck where her husband, daughter and young son tried to hang on.
Sadly, the waters took Jacob Baudek, 6, from his father's grasp and the child did not survive the raging flood that turned a small, 6-inch deep wash into a wall of water during heavy rains that swept through the area on Jan. 21.
"A wall of water hit us and flipped the truck around," David Baudek said.
David, Katrina and Dezera Baudek, their emotions still raw, attended a fundraiser Sunday at Smokin' Harley's Bar and Grill at Creekside Lodge. The bar plans to donate 25 percent of its take to a fund for the family, said co-owner Lynette Halterman. Summer and Brian Walker, who own Cowboy Critter Control, helped organize the event that included a raffle of art, toys, dolls, gift baskets and other items donated by area businesses and individuals.
"We were on the back of the truck," David Baudek recounted. They held on for two hours as rushing water and debris swirled around "hitting us."
After she got to the stream bank, Katrina ran back toward her house and got rope, and someone who saw what was happening put their headlights on the scene.
"It was pitch black. We were just freezing and numb," she said.
They called 911, as well as a friend, from the inside of the truck as water rapidly filled the Chevrolet Avalanche, pushing it downstream after picking it up and turning it around. If not for a small back window built into the truck that popped open, they would have all drowned, David said. He climbed out first and one by one, pulled the kids to the back of the pickup. Katrina got out last and as she climbed out, "I was washed 200 yards down the (river)." She managed to clamber out onto the stream bank.
"I could hear them calling me," she said. She still has nightmares of her family calling her. "We had one guy try to help us. We got ropes to see if we could do it ourselves."
After an hour firefighters found the family, who had been swept downstream from their original location. The violent storm grounded rescue helicopters.
"Nobody could get to us," David said. "We were finally swept over." He managed to throw Dezera, 12, into some bushes and turned for Jacob but the boy was gone. Jacob's body was found two days later.
David Baudek clutched a tree that "reached out and grabbed me."
"It's been pretty terrible," David said. "It's getting better every day. I don't cry near as much. My wife and daughter have nightmares. I want to thank the community and everyone that's come out."
The Baudeks plan to donate the money raised in Jacob's honor to buy swift water rescue equipment for the Mayer Fire Department and to send kids to camp. Jacob loved the outdoors, his sister said. He liked to ride his bike and fish and did not spend time playing video games.
Usually, Sundays are slow at Smokin' Harley's, said Halterman, about the bar that was crowded with about 45 people on Sunday afternoon. Char LaGreca, a friend of the Baudeks, was on hand.
"It's nice to see the community come together," she said. "It couldn't have been for a better family."
"We may not know the family personally but we are all family," Summer Walker said. Brian Walker added, "We got involved to help the family. It really pulled at our hearts. We are all family here no matter how you look at it."
David Baudek said, "This community is awesome. It's too bad this is what brought us together."
An account for those who wish to donate to the family has been established at Wells Fargo Bank.
Posted: Tuesday, February 09, 2010
Article comment by:
A father
I wish I could have been there to help. I am so sorry for your loss. I have never met you but your family has been in my prayers since I first learn of what happened. There are a lot of fathers out here whose hearts are aching to even think about what you went through that night.
Posted: Tuesday, February 09, 2010
Article comment by:
George & Claudette Bonds
Your love for one another will always be your strength. Hold on tight! I agree, Courier did a fantastic job reporting! Only hoped it could've been a better resulting story. Heaven has another bright shining star and angel. Blessings!
Posted: Tuesday, February 09, 2010
Article comment by:
Cassandra
Thoughts and prayers are with you.
Posted: Tuesday, February 09, 2010
Article comment by:
No name Provided
i'm so sorry i can't imagine how you feel, my heart and prayers go out to you.
Posted: Tuesday, February 09, 2010
Article comment by:
Hokans
I'm Jacob's grandfather, and I must say "Thank You!" for this article. It's the first I've read that is accurate. If everyone could know the terror the family went through that night - the article barely scratches the surface. We are fortunate to have Katrina, Dave, and Dez still with us. We'll miss Jacob forever.
Posted: Tuesday, February 09, 2010
Article comment by:
papa
Ditto. As a father with a child of a similar age, I shared this story with him and we looked into each others eyes and cried.
Posted: Tuesday, February 09, 2010
Article comment by:
Carol
I am so very sorry for your loss. Words cannot express how I personally feel. I know your Son was wonderful.My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Posted: Tuesday, February 09, 2010
Article comment by:
Susie Berry
I am so glad that the Benefit for Jacob turned out so well at Smokin Harleys. Between the two benefits held (the concert at the old Auction house and Smokin Harleys) is proof that we as a community really can pull together for ours in need. My heart and prayers will always go out to Dave, Katrina and the whole Baudek Family. God Bless you and I hope you got what you needed to get the swift water rescue team what they needed so this kind of tragedy never happens again.
