Father Drowns in River Saving a Young Girl During His Daughter's Baptism Celebration

Family and friends are remembering a Kentucky man who they say gave his life to help save another in the Cumberland River. 

Kentucky Fish and Wildlife officials say they received a call about a 37-year-old man, later identified as Matthew Strickland, getting swept under water in the river adjacent to the Ballard Ford Memorial Boat Ramp Sunday night. 

Strickland’s 6-year-old daughter was baptized earlier in the day.

Friends and family say he was out celebrating and fishing at the boat ramp with his daughter, two of her friends and his wife.

The Strickland family said they spotted other young girls who were left unattended, swimming in the river near where they were fishing, who started struggling in the water. 

“One of them started yelling that her sister was drowning and Matt’s the kind of person that’s not going to stand by and see what happens,” Susie Hayes, a longtime friend of Strickland, said. “He jumped into action.” 

Stephanie Strickland, Matt Strickland’s cousin, added, “Matt dove in their direction and got the little girl to where she could get to the bank.” 

They say the girl’s older guardian helped her get the rest of the way out of the river, but then Matt Strickland started struggling himself and yelling for help.

“Matt’s wife was saying [to the guardian], ‘You’re 20 feet from him, help him. He needs help,’ and that man said, ‘I can’t,’ and he walked away,” Stephanie Strickland said. 

Matt Strickland ended up going underwater.

Loved ones said his wife tried to help her husband, but couldn’t, and called 911.

“He risked his life for someone he didn’t even know. But if those children were not down there unattended, he would’ve never even had to dive in and save them,” Stephanie Strickland said. 

Family and friends say the boat ramp is a popular spot. They said they often see unattended children swimming in the river.

The Strickland family said they want to see more safety measures at the river, including life jackets, to prevent another situation like this one.

They said they are still trying to process what happened.

“I got a phone call from my mom. She said he was drowning and I was 30 minutes away,” Caleb Strickland, the couple’s son, said. “I tried to get over there as fast as I could.” 

Caleb Strickland says his dad’s actions reflect who he is.

“He’s always had that kind of heart to step up when nobody else would and do what needs to be done,” he said. 

Through the emotional turmoil, loved ones say Matt Strickland’s actions were selfless. 

“Endless acts of kindness from Matt, he was always smiling and happy. He always just had this peace about him. He was such a wonderful, wonderful person,” Stephanie Strickland said.