YOUR COMMENTS

God doesn't decide who is a hero and who isn't. He just places people in the right place at the right time. He made sure the Gobeil girl was there to see the boy; He made sure Christina was trained to do her part and at Pawtuckaway. God knows who used their abilities in this challenge and blesses them. What a remarkable story about heroic events from two women who never thought of themselves as heros. God loves you both!
- Connie, Raymond, NH

Wow. I'm floored. This article was about a 3 year old boy that can sit down with his family and have dinner tonight. He can celebrate his 4th Birthday. He can wait for Santa Claus this coming Chirstmas. This is not about who did what, or who is taking credit for anything. I'm ashamed of anybody writing in to get "credit" or telling somebody to "check the facts". Bottom line is there were people who cared enougthto jump to the help of a child who needed it. It does not matter who was named, or who was left out. This boy and his family have a happy ending, and that's really all that matters! Thanks to all involved, you are ALL angels!
- Matt, Epping

I was floored when I read this article and heard the news, probably because it hit home a little bit. I am so glad that Christina was there at Pawt. that day. What a magical thing.

Still confused how this incident had anything to do with the Lambert children who passed away last year. Of course we should always remember them but this incident is a separate issue and more or less, a blessing. It sounded cheesy bringing that up. Whether or not the accident on 495 happened or not Christina would've still done what she did because she's a hero. God Bless.
- Jasmyne P., Epping, NH

I just was informed of your article on the little 3 year old boy who drowned in patuckaway state park on sunday at 1pm. I do reconize you as the lady who did pull the baby out of the water and also who tried to give the first 2 breathes and was unsucessful. I am the one who gave the baby CPR and chest resperations and cleared his airway until he responded and I also was the one who put him in the recovery position when he finally came to. I think it is great how you did have a hand in saving the boys life pulling him out of the water. i wasn't going to say anything but u need to give credit where it is due and i am the one who did cpr . you even stopped me when you were leaving to tell me what a good job i did. my best friend was behind me the whole time on the phone with 911 , Jennifer Frasier check the records on the call. I don't want to make waves but i am proud of what i did and to make someone else take all the credit is wrong. PLEASE TELL THE TRUTH.
- LAURIE LORD, WELLS MAINE

This story is a miracle the fact that a 3 year old boy was braught back to life. And many of you have stated the obvious that this is a heroic story with a miracle of an ending. But it is DISGUSTING that people are taking credit for things they did not do. Laurie a bystander on the beach was the one who took over once christina braught the little boy out of the water... Laurie continued to do the cpr and was the one who in the end braught him back. This is shameful that there is someone else trying to take credit. We appreciate all who helped this little boy with eveyones efforts. But to try and take credit for this, when you are not the one who saved him is wrong.
- courtney, shapleigh me

I'm so proud of you Christina and am in awe of your quick response! I think everyone involved did a great job and as a team played a part in saving the life of this child which is the most amazing thing of all. You were all meant to be there that day. It was such a nice story of bravery and educational about the importance of CPR.
- Amy Carleton Dow, Newmarket, NH

Job well done Christina! you are a true hero..boo to the ending of the article. what in the world did mentioning that have to do with CPR certification? left me puzzeled and forgetting that a life was saved that day.
- Rose, greenland, NH

I work for a lake for NH State Parks. Havng someone in the water is certainly beneficial IF and ONLY if there are enough lifeguards to do this. If there are two or three lifeguards present, it is not effective to have someone positioned in the water. An extra lifeguard makes this a different situation. Also... Just because there may not be a lifeguard "in the middle" does not mean it is unsupervised water. The beach is not a mile long, and I'm sure the lifeguards are completely capable of watching it from their respective areas.
- Lifeguard, Sunapee, NH

Christina, Nice Job! Everyone is to be commended for keeping a level head and saving the child. A job well done.
- Kristin, Epping, NH

well first of all i would like to say good job christina! I was there with her in that class. There was a reason that you went to pawtuckaway that day. As for those of you who dont want to be reminded of the other incident mentioned in the paper. those children should not EVER be forgotten and there are some people who think and still feel the love we had for them every day! the will NEVER be forgotten. Again we have been reminded to cherish your children you never know how much time you have with them. Anything can happen, spend all the time in the world you can with them and watch them every second... Great job christina that little man was very lucky to have had you and everyone else that helped save his little life there that day!
- Erin, allenstown nh

I know this lady is to be commended but (I want you to know I was there) The lady life guard responded when she knew there was an emergency. There was also a EMT that works for the park who spent more time than anyone with the child and he did not get mentioned at all. I think that all involved did a great job and as someone else wrote the goal was to safe a child in disstress good job to Pawtuckaway staff and the Rescue people from Nottingham!!!!
- Jeff, Raymond NH

It amazes me how many of you commenters ruin such a great story. It doesn't matter who found the boy, who performed cpr, who called the police, who was doing their job; who wasn't, who was there, who saw it. It all just doesn't matter. The boy will live to see another day and Thanks to EVERYONE on that beach and campsite and stayed calm and assisted is to thank. This mother is thankful that Everyone who was there, was there. It takes a villiage to raise a child. It doesn't take a newspaper article to make a villian out of a mother who had a lapse of judgement. You all need to be thankful every day for what you have and who you have around you. Did you ever stop to realize it's a penny for your thoughts, but it costs 2 cents to put them in? Maybe you should consider leaving the negativity out of this and realize we're not reading about a 3 year olds death to which you'd all be leaving the same outdated comment material.
- Patricia, Milford

The only parents that watch their children are usually in the minority. We can not rely on parents-for the ones not watching their own kids are more likely the ones that were ignored in the water themselves, as children.
Typically, parents that go to these types of areas are of two types.
1. Those that never EVER take their eyes off of thier children OR
2. Up in the woods swatting at pinatas, playing wiffle ball, or attempting to "grill: on charcoal fires.
The truth is that we need ample staffing for quality lifeguards on our State Funded beaches. There should be a guard house built and there should be a clearly visibile Head Lifeguard on-duty with binoculars at all times, as we can not count on parents to police their own children and when the stakes are a child's LIFE, there can be no compromise.
- APril Mercier, Manchester, NH

I personally know the woman that gave the little boy CPR until the paramedics arrived --Her name is Laurie and she is from Wells,Maine--The little boy was laid on her blanket by the woman who found him and she is the one that gave him the CPR--the question is How is this little boy?Has he fully recovered?
- Jeanine, Wells,Maine

great job christina! there is nothing more important than knowing CPR and being able to respond quickly! I used to be a lifeguard and I would like to say that lifeguards are not babysitters. It does not matter how crowded a beach is or how many guards are on duty, it is the responsibility of the PARENTS to properly supervise their children and not let them into water that is too deep to swim in. Clearly the child was not properly supervised. It sounds like the lifeguards and public reacted appropriately and should be commended for the job they did!
- Joanne, Merrimck, NH

TO STATE GUARD NH BEACHES
You are only partially correct. JD from Hooksett raised true points and if you were not on the defensice perhaps you would acknowledge that.
True, the chairs are an advantage due to the height of looking over the water, however, having an additional guard on the water is beneficial. Positioning is everything. If you are a properly trained guard, you would know that when it is busy you must cover multiple vantage points and having two guards at opposite ends of a beach leaves the middle EXTREMELY vulnerable to a drowning. Further, when you have swimmers over their heads and head counts up, a guard on a rescue board or on a small raft is recommended, check your manual! The State Parks need to tighten it up on our beaches.
- J.Hausman, Manchester, NH

Christina, you did a wonderful job, as did everyone else involved that day.

As for everyone upset that they included the story of those two children, of course it was relevant. Those children went to the school that Christina works at. You should not focus on the negative, but the fact that a child's life was saved. Be thankful, not spiteful.
- Taylor, Concord, NH

Christina, we are so proud of you! I am so glad that your daughters were there to see what you did to help save a life! I know that you would want someone to do the same for you!
And for all the others involved, thank you for your part in this wonderful ending to what could have been a tragedy. I hear the news, and always try to remind myself that there are wonderful people all around us! This story is an example of that!
- Kim, Epping, NH

Good job Christina, I think it was no coincident that you went to Pawtuckaway that day instead of the beach. God had other plans for you. I am very proud of you and also to everyone else involved .
- Maureen Duda, raymond,nh

Why not bring up the last two paragraphs.Shame on all of you who thaught that was not neccesary.It was a
terrible thing and it's a cop out for all of you who want to forget it. Those children need to be remembered and we need reminding once in a while.
- Carol, Fremont

Kudos to Christina and all the others who helps save that child.
I am proud to say that Christina watched overmy son when he was a pre-schooler!
And I am very proud of Christina.
Special Kudos to the girl who pulled the boy from the water too! Great Job!!
- Shannon Wedge, Raymond NH

On the 4th of July this year, and every year for the past 7 or 8 years, there are approximately 1500 people on that beach, -that doesn't count the number of campers already registered, just the day passes issued on that day. The old Park Manager would never close the gate, just let them keep coming because it was all about the money. Apparently this new Park Manager is a little less concerned about the money because the gate has been closing in the morning on the 4th.
Used to be a beautiful spot to spend the day, -now it's overcrowded and unfriendly.
- ross, northwood

Wow, what an article. Nice job saving the boys life. Also great job to the girl who found him in the water and met with the lady who ultimately saved his life. The two angles from above surely did help.
- Ann, Manchester

What J.D. from Hooksett said regarding having lifeguards ON the water is not true in any way. It is not easy to see from that angle, and the best place to be is on the lifeguard stands.
- State Guard, New Hampshire beaches

Great job to all those involved. My daughter is the first lifeguard to reach the boy being assisted by the those mentioned. The boy was still unresponsive and not breathing she also administered rescue breaths and that is when he spit the sand from his mouth into hers. An attendant at the boat area, a trained rescuer with more training, also assisted in the rescue. Many people helped this little boy. Look at the accident reports at the Nottingham and Exeter logs and you will see how busy those state staffers really are.
- susan trudel, auburn

"Nottingham Fire Chief Jaye Vilchock and members of the department commended Carleton and the others who assisted, saying they most likely saved the boy's life"

Mrs Gobeil,

If you want your childs name in the paper in its own article, you may want to report that to the UL. The names of other people weren't listed and your comment is just plain stuck up.

This article is about Christina. You're daughter no doubt did a great thing by pulling the child to shore, but the report was about the person who gave CPR.
- Jon, Manchester

Theresa Gobeil,

It was very brave and heroic for your daughter to pull the boy out of the water.

Unfortunately, THIS article was about the woman who gave the child CPR. If you are that determined to gain some attention for the acts of your daughter, than call the UL yourself.

Please don't teach your daughter the same sort of pettiness.
- Laurie, Derry

Christina...God bless you!
- Debbie, Massachusetts

What is wrong with some of you?

Jason Screiber & the Union Leader:
How dare you report the facts?!
- Jessilyn, Manchester

It's nice to see something positive in the news.

Christina, great job!

That little boy seems to have had a lot of angels watching over him that day. Thanks to everyone involved. You all are amazing!
- Melanie, Manchester, NH

god will have just the places for the girl that pulled the boy from the water, and you Christina for bringing him back. god bless you both.
- leslie neenan, seabrook,NH

She'll probably get sued.....no good deed goes unpunished.

She and anyone involved in the rescue of that child deserves congratulations on a job well done.
- Bob, Manchester, NH

Great Job Christina. !!! It must have been your two angels that made you take the turn to that park.
- Rob, Penacook

Some girls are beautiful.
Some girls are smart.
Some girls are heroes.

Christina is all all three.
- Bill Howard, Exeter

Christina - our town is so proud of you! With everything that you have been through in the past couple of years to have the courage to jump in and save a life takes a lot of courage and self-determination! You have a higher purpose in life - don't ever doubt yourself! I'm very happy it was a positive outcome!
- Nicole, Epping

I took 5 children with me to Pawtuckaway a week ago Sunday, the first time in a long time. I commented to my friend, another past lifeguard, that the lifeguards (younger looking college guys) were not positioned properly nor were they carefully observing the water. This is not a lie. The entire middle of the swimming area was loaded with kids and there were only two lifeguards on. One at each far end. And, they continually were walking the length of the beach to speak either to each other or to comment to a patron while the entire area was unsupervised, except by those of us that actually do watch our children.
But lets face it, many parents just let their kids run wild, unattended, and unsupervised. This is always going to be an issue BUT there need to be accountibility on part of the STATE"S LIFEGUARDS as well. They are paid well, and according to Amercian Red Cross and YMCA, when the patron numbers are up. there needs to be a lifeguard on the water, either in a small boat or a board, on the bout line. Why are these practices not being exercised at Pawtuckaway? Two lifeguards for well over 120 swimmers is awful and THANK GOD there was an angel on the beach to rescue this little swimmer as the lifeguards were not on guard!
- J.D., Hooksett, NH

I agree with Joan, there was no need to mention the sad death of Shane and Kaleigh. Congratulations to yet another teacher that loves kids!
- Michelle, Manchester NH

Just HAD to throw in the bit about the 495 accident last year, eh, Schreiber? Needless, tacky, thoughtless and tasteless. The mark of a tabloid writer.
- Benny, Epping

This young woman kept her head and saved that little boy's life. Good for her, and what a lucky thing she chose to go to Pawtuckaway that day.

But why on earth would the reporter throw in the older tragedy? Unnecessary and wrong.
- Marianne, Hooksett NH

Nice job Christina, get Red Cross LG certified and the State will probably offer you a job.
- Harry, Atkinson

Another reason to thank a teacher.
That was an awesome article and adding the information on the 2 small children was done in taste.
2 beautiful souls should always be remembered regardless on the events of their deaths........and they were important in her life, and Im sure......in her stregnth and determination to save that 3-yr old.
- Laurie Collins, Manchester

My daughter is the one that found the boy and pulled him out of the lake. No one even knew the boy was missing. I think my daughter is a hero. Funny how that was left out of the story. The main thing is the child is alive and doing well,but if you are going to give credit give it to all that was involved in saving the child.
- Theresa Gobeil, Nashua NH

Another reason to thank a teacher.
That was an awesome article and adding the information on the 2 small children was done in taste.
2 beautiful souls should always be remembered regardless on the events of their deaths........and they were important in her life, and Im sure......in her stregnth and determination to save that 3-yr old.
- Laurie Collins, Manchester

Thank you, Christina, and anyone else who assisted that day. What a heartwarming story...of courage, and selflessness. We need more "good news" and "happy ending" stories. May God bless you!
- Lori, Lisbon, NH

Bravo Chrisina!
Madelyn Williamson, Epping
- Madelyn Williamson, Epping, N.H.

What a wonderful act of heroism. Yesterday, Ms. Carleton discovered something about herself; and the world is a better place.
- Jack, Manchester

Congratulations to Christina on a job well done!
- tom, manchester

Kudos to Christina Carleton! Well done.

Boo to Jason Schreiber and the UL for the last couple of paragraphs in the article... Absolutely not necessary for THIS story.

Peace.
- Thom, Hummelstown, PA

Why did this article have to remind us of that awful woman who murdered her niece and nephew? I had forgotten all about that and it makes me sad all over again. Those poor children.
- Joan, Manchester