A dramatic water rescue over in Pettis County unfolded after a person and their dog were swept off a low water crossing on June 13. What’s worse is that when rescuers arrived, the victim was holding onto a tree branch for dear life, along with their dog.
The Pettis County Fire Department said crews were dispatched to Oak Grove Lane at approximately 5:20 pm yesterday after reports of a vehicle being swept off a low-water crossing. What rescuers discovered upon arrival was a dangerous and exhausting situation that had already been unfolding for much of the day.
Officials said the person and their pet were ultimately spotted by a passerby, whose call for assistance likely made all the difference in bringing the incident to a safe conclusion.
“We appreciate the assistance of Pettis County Sheriff’s Department and Pettis County Ambulance,” the fire department said. “It was a great team effort on the rescue.”
Boat Rescue Launched After Vehicle Swept Away by Rising Water
The stranded individual had reportedly been trapped in the water since around 9 am that morning after their vehicle was overtaken by rising currents. Somehow managing to survive for nearly eight hours, they held tightly to nearby tree branches while waiting for help.
Due to the challenging conditions and the victim’s location, emergency responders had to deploy a boat to conduct rescue operations and safely reach the individual. The rescue required careful coordination as crews worked to navigate floodwaters and bring both the person and their dog to safety.
From the looks of the images provided by the Pettis County Fire Department, the car was swept quite a distance away into the water. You can really only see the roof of the car, as a majority of it was submerged.
Floodwaters Are More Dangerous Than They Look
Emergency crews have long warned motorists about the dangers of underestimating moving water. In many flood-related incidents, drivers become trapped after attempting to cross roads that appear passable but are quickly overwhelmed by fast-moving currents.
Fortunately, no one was seriously injured as a result of this particular incident, as the victim was assessed by an employee of Pettis County Ambulance District. Officials did not disclose whether the victim required further medical treatment or transport following the evaluation.
In a statement following the incident, the department thanked both the Pettis County Sheriff’s Department and Pettis County Ambulance for their support during the rescue.
Community Reactions To Saving Swept Person and Dog
Various commenters took to the replies under the fire department’s Facebook post to share their opinions on the situation. One of the very top comments concerns the road itself, reading, “Why? Why don’t people understand, do NOT cross a low water bridge if water is rushing over it. This cost tax payers $$’s to send out rescue teams.”
Others noted that the road is heavily travelled, with another commenter writing: “That road is heavily traveled. Ever thought about putting a beam style bridge in?” Similarly, another reply read, “Doesn’t this road have gates for flooding times?”
Local authorities did not release the driver’s name, exact location, or additional identifying information. When agencies provide limited details, we supplement reporting with local news coverage, public records, and direct outreach whenever possible. In this case, no additional information was available at the time of publication.