An 11-year-old Cedar Hill boy drowned Sunday (May 23) in the Big River in Dittmer, downstream from Morse Mill Park.
The boy was wearing a life jacket, but he got stuck on a log in the middle of the river and went underwater and never resurfaced, according to a Missouri Highway Patrol report.
A Jefferson County Sheriff's Office deputy was the first emergency responder to arrive on the scene in the 7900 block of Riverview Drive. He arrived at 3:27 p.m. after being dispatched at 3:18 p.m., and the boy already was out of the water across the river, and a woman was doing CPR and trying to revive him.
Authorities said several adults and children were at the site, which is on private property and included a dock.
Sheriff’s Office spokesman Grant Bissell said a corporal arrived moments after the deputy, took off his duty belt, grabbed a nearby life jacket and swam across the river.
“Obviously, risked his life to get across to help with CPR while ambulance and fire districts were on their way,” he said. “Usually, the deputies stay on dry land so this is definitely the definition of going above and beyond.”
Cedar Hill Fire Protection District Assistant Chief Greg Shuster said firefighters arrived at the scene at 3:28 p.m. He said the two firefighters crossed the river wearing life jackets, got the boy and put him on a backboard. He said one of the two firefighters was off duty, but still responded to the call.
According to a highway patrol report, Big River Ambulance transported the boy to SSM Health St. Clare Hospital in Fenton, where he was pronounced dead at 4:16 p.m.
Jefferson County Sheriff Marshak said the drowning was a “horrible tragedy.”
“I’m incredibly grateful for our officer and (firefighters) who risked their own safety to help a family in need,” Marshak said.