A deadly water rescue at Lake Springfield in Springfield, Missouri, injured three firefighters after a rescue boat capsized near the dam, according to FOX Weather. The Springfield Fire Department responded Sunday, June 14, after four people were swept over the dam during severe weather and flooding conditions. One 12-year-old girl was rescued alive, while two others were later recovered dead and one person remained missing.
FOX Weather identified the rescued girl as 12-year-old Aurelie Stawny. A firefighter was lowered by rope from South Farm Road 169, which serves as the dam, and brought her back up to safety. She was taken to the hospital and has since been released.
The two victims recovered were identified as 19-year-old Andrea Stawny and 17-year-old Sofie Stawny. FOX Weather reported that 40-year-old Taylor Stawny remained missing as of Wednesday. The Springfield Fire Department said the group had been on the water with a kayak and two connected inflatable tubes when the incident happened.
Video from the rescue showed water rescue personnel navigating powerful currents near the dam before the boat overturned. Three firefighters were injured and taken to a hospital after the incident. According to FOX Weather, all three firefighters have since been released.
How the Lake Springfield Rescue Unfolded
KY3 reported that crews responded around 5:30 p.m. Sunday after four people went over the dam. A witness, Dustin Langston, told the station that he and his father had seen the group on the water earlier, with one person in a kayak and others on tubes. He later saw the kayak and floats below the dam and found the girl on a log.
Langston told KY3 that his wife and son brought a rope and life jacket, which were lowered to the girl from the top of the dam. Firefighters then completed the rescue after arriving at the scene. During the operation, KY3 reported, the rescue boat became disabled, was caught in the current, and capsized.
What Officials Have Said About the Search Effort
FOX Weather reported that the larger rescue and recovery operation involved more than 30 members of the Springfield Fire Department and about 25 responders from outside agencies. Search teams used dive teams, drones, foot search teams, volunteer K9s, and other resources. The search area included the Tailwaters Access area below the dam, where the footage was recorded.
KY3 reported that the search included land, water, and air operations after the incident. The station also reported that firefighters used drones and that roughly 40 members from seven agencies were working the search at one point. As of the latest reports cited by FOX Weather, Taylor Stawny remained missing, and officials expected the search to continue.