Man hears 13-year-old swimmer’s screams, rescues him from river, Indiana officials say

Screams from a 13-year-old swimming in an Indiana river triggered a heroic response from a passerby, Indiana officials say.

The Columbus Fire Department said the boy was swimming alone in the White River on Sunday, July 7, when he began to struggle. As the boy screamed for help, a 29-year-old man on Mill Race Park trail heard his calls and entered the water, the department said in a news release.

The passerby reached the 13-year-old and they swam together to the edge of the river, but they were unable to climb the steep bank, officials said.

That’s when a Columbus Fire Department firefighter in an inflatable rescue boat helped bring the two back to land, according to the news release. The boy and the adult who helped rescue him did not have any “obvious injuries,” the fire department said.

“We salute the efforts of the passerby for his courageous act of helping this child,” firefighters said.

The fire department urged swimmers to swim with caution in rivers due to their strong currents and hidden obstacles that may not be visible.

“These obstacles may trap or snag a swimmer which could lead to drowning,” firefighters said. “If swimming in a river, never swim alone and consider a flotation device.”

Columbus is about a 45-mile drive southeast from Indianapolis.

This story was originally published July 8, 2024 at 8:56 AM with the headline "Man hears 13-year-old swimmer’s screams, rescues him from river, Indiana officials say."