COLUMBUS, Ind. — A passerby is credited with assisting a juvenile swimmer after hearing calls for help from East Fork White River near Mill Race Park at 6:34 p.m. Sunday.
Columbus firefighters used the department’s rescue boat to bring both individuals to a boat ramp for a medical evaluation.
At approximately 6:34 p.m., a multi-agency water rescue response occurred following a report of a distressed swimmer in the East Fork of the White River near Mill Race Park, said Capt. Mike Wilson, Columbus Fire Department spokesman. When Columbus firefighters arrived on the scene, Columbus police advised firefighters that they could see two persons near the bank located north of the Mill Race Park boat ramp. Columbus firefighters launched an inflatable rescue boat from the boat ramp and met a male juvenile and an adult male standing in the water near the river bank.
A rapid assessment of the two persons found no obvious injuries. Columbus firefighters brought the two individuals back to the boat ramp where an awaiting ambulance could provide further medical assessment.
While firefighters transported the pair, the 13-year-old juvenile shared that he was swimming alone in the water near the confluence of the Driftwood River and the Flatrock River when he began to struggle to swim. The juvenile then began to call out for help.
The adult male, age 29, who was on the park’s trail, heard the cry for help. The male stated that he saw the juvenile and entered the water. Once reaching the struggling swimmer, the two floated down the river and ferried to the edge of the river but could not climb up the steep bank. That’s when firefighter arrived and assisted the two into the boat.
Firefighters transported both males to the boat ramp where the 13-year-old was assessed by Columbus Regional Health EMTs. Wilson said, “We salute the efforts of the passerby for his courageous act of helping this child.”
Agencies that assisted at the scene include the Columbus Police Department, Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office, Columbus Township Fire and Rescue, Columbus Regional Health Emergency Medical Services and the Bartholomew County Emergency Dispatch Center.
The Columbus Fire Department would like to take this opportunity to caution community members about the dangers associated with swimming in rivers. Unlike a swimming pool, rivers may have strong currents that can create challenges for even a strong swimmer. Rivers may also contain hidden obstacles that may not be visible above the water. These obstacles may trap or snag a swimmer which could lead to drowning. If swimming in a river, never swim alone and consider a flotation device.
