A candlelight vigil for the Springfield man who drowned last month in Buck Creek will be held Sunday on what would have been his 24th birthday.

Christopher Massie drowned July 3 after he jumped into the water about 4 p.m. near the Simon Kenton Trail bridge to save then 17-year-old Ashley Richardson, who was struggling in the current, according to a police report.

Richardson, now 18, told the Springfield News-Sun on Thursday that she slipped and began to struggle in the current. He jumped in to help her to safety, then began to struggle himself.

She said a 16-year-old friend who was swimming with the group attempted to pull him out, but Massie pushed her away, in her words, to save her from being pulled down with him.

He helped Richardson’s 12-year-old sister out of some strong current there earlier in the day, she said.

“He looked at me, smiled and went under and didn’t come back up,” she said.

The report indicates he died of an accidental drowning. His body was located in about nine feet of water where his legs were caught in a branch and a submerged tire.

Massie’s mother, Mary, said he had several health issues that caused him to fear rapid running water. She said he wouldn’t have gone out there unless it was an emergency.

“He couldn’t take fast running water. He wouldn’t have went out too far,” she said.

Richardson said if the group had seen “no swimming” signs there, they would have stayed out of the water.

“We didn’t see any posted where we were,” she said.

National Trail Parks & Recreation District Director Leann Castillo said theft of the metal signs has been an ongoing problem there, and at least two have been thrown into the creek.

However, “no swimming” signs were posted that day high up on bridge supports facing each creek bank, and detailed signs were posted along Buck Creek trail leading to the area, she said.

Because of the theft problem, the district has focused more effort on educating people they find swimming there and asking community groups, schools and individuals to help them educate others about the dangers of the creek.

“It’s designed for adventure sports and kayakers who are wearing safety equipment, including life jackets,” Castillo said. “People need to find a safer place. The slightest rain can cause more current, and they never know what’s happening underneath the water.”

Those wanting to swim should visit the district-operated Splash Zone for a fee or the beach at Clarence J. Brown Reservoir in Buck Creek State Park for free, she said.

It costs taxpayers money each time a sign is stolen and has to be replaced.

“It’s costing us to fix it and our money comes from the taxpayers and we hate that we have to use it for that instead of positive things,” Castillo said.