JEFFERSON COUNTY, Mo. — A man was taken to an area hospital after nearly drowning Wednesday evening in the Big River.
High Ridge Fire District Chief John Barton said they were called out to Rockford Park for a water rescue Wednesday around 7 p.m.
The 911 caller said a man had been swept away by the current. He was barely conscious when first responders arrived.
Barton said shortly before crews got there, the man had been pulled out of the rough waters of the Big River by a bystander.
Medics started treatment right away and rushed the man to the hospital. At this point they do not know how he ended up in the water.
Barton said they don't normally receive water rescue calls until June, so this is unusually early.
Statistics show the river claims a life every other year on average and last year they responded to about 10 calls at Rockford Park.
He said right now the Big River is even more dangerous because of all the rain pushing extra debris into the water.
"The river is definitely up and the current is moving a little bit more swiftly than normal because of all the rain that we’ve been having. So we talk we talk about this every year, this is not the environment for swimming and it’s especially worse now because of all the rain," Barton said.
Barton said the bystander definitely saved the victim's life but, but he doesn't recommend people take that kind of action because rescuers can be pulled under too.
The park was recently closed due to high water levels and just recently reopened.
Barton said he wants to remind everyone that Rockford Park is not a place for swimming. It is great for boating, canoeing and picnicking.