Wolf Creek Firefighters Respond to Multiple Water Rescues, Saves Woman Clinging to Tree in Swift Water

St. Francois Co., Mo. (KFMO) - Wolf Creek Firefighters had a busy Friday, responding to a total of eight emergency calls, including five water rescues, a structure fire, a fire alarm, and a report of downed power lines.

Among the five water rescue incidents, one was disregarded, one was handled as a self-rescue, another was resolved by a tow company pulling a vehicle from slack water, and one was determined to be unfounded.

However, one call turned into a life-threatening emergency that required a full swift water rescue operation. In that incident, a woman’s vehicle was overtaken by rising floodwaters. She managed to escape through a window before the car submerged and was able to grab hold of a tree. She climbed up and waited for help as the swift current surrounded her. The victim was located approximately 150 yards downstream from the road and 10 to 15 feet from dry land, trapped in the cold and fast-moving water. With temperatures dropping and concern growing over potential hypothermia due to her extended exposure, firefighters determined that a throw bag rescue was not viable. Instead, a trained swift water rescuer entered the water to reach the woman. Using a pendulum swing technique, the rescuer successfully brought her to safety. She was taken to a rescue squad for warming and evaluation.

Personnel from the Ste. Genevieve Ambulance District arrived on scene to treat the woman, who was reported to be in stable condition.