More Details in Deer Rescue Attempt at RiverWinds

Most every day after his older son catches the bus for school, Andrew Reddin goes down to the point at RiverWinds with his wife and two small children.

The 13-year West Deptford resident sits by the banks of the Delaware River, looking out at the water at many of the boats on which he's worked before as a commercial diver.

Since his last assignment, day work is all Reddin's been able to find, which he supplements with other part-time jobs. He says he comes down to the water's edge to get away from things.

But last Friday, something floated across the river into his field of vision. At first, he thought it was a log. Then he realized it was a deer, and it was fighting the current.

By the time he saw it, Reddin said, the animal was halfway out into the river and not doing well. He threw his shoes up to his wife, told her to call 9-1-1 in case he got into trouble, and dove in.

"I was going to take my belt or my shirt off and drag her in," Reddin said. "It's got a heartbeat. It deserves to live."

The most painful part, he said, was coming within sight of the animal and not being able to reach it.

"I got within six feet of her and lost her."

The deer turned its head, and for a moment, Reddin saw the same expression his dog had had on her face before she died only a month ago. Not being able to reach her felt like that same unbearable helplessness.

As opposed to "floundering" in the water, as Patch initially reported, Reddin said he was "never in trouble."

When the rescue crews came in, Reddin said, he held his arm up; they threw a life buoy, he caught it, and climbed aboard their boat.

"I stood up and looked south for the deer," Reddin said. "They would not go after it.

"The whole reason I went in is because 9-1-1 is going to act faster with a human in the water," he said. "The Coast Guard isn't going to come in for a deer because that isn't important."

Reddin didn't want to be recognized for his effort, and he didn't want to be a nuisance to the volunteer workers, whom he said he thanked for their assistance on the scene.

He's mildly uncomfortable with the attention he's gotten from the encounter to date.

"My intention was to get the deer without anyone knowing about it," Reddin said. "I never once wanted to be called or not be called a hero.

"I didn't want anybody to find out."